Self-harm content

Content that promotes self-harm and suicide is illegal. Platforms have a legal responsibility to remove this content. However, a child or young person may see self-harming behaviours in content that hasn’t been removed. For example, videos recommending unhealthy diets.

Repeatedly seeing self-harm content might mean that a child or young person becomes less shocked or frightened by it over time. Self-harm content can be upsetting, distressing, and potentially dangerous if copied.

Extremism and radicalisation

Algorithms might expose a child or young person to extreme content. This could involve content that covers specific religious, political, right-wing, left-wing or single-issue beliefs or views.

Over time, seeing this content could put a child or young person at risk of radicalisation.

Upsetting and dangerous content

A child or young person might be recommended upsetting or dangerous content. For example, video footage of fights or dangerous viral challenges. Exposure to this content can make a child or young person feel frightened or anxious. They might also try to mimic dangerous behaviours.

Information and disinformation

Specific algorithm recommendations can mean that a child or young person is less likely to see different views and perspectives. This is sometimes called a filter bubble. This can impact how a child or young person thinks about the world.

Algorithms can also help spread misinformation and disinformation.

A child or young person might engage with content recommended by an algorithm because it:

• involves one of their interests or hobbies
• is funny or entertaining
• is something they agree with
• isn’t something they have seen before