YouTube is more likely to serve problematic videos than useful ones
Here's a study supported by the objective reality that many of us experience already on YouTube.
The streaming video company's recommendation algorithm can sometimes send you on an hours-long video binge so captivating that you never notice the time passing. But according to a study from software nonprofit Mozilla Foundation, trusting the algorithm means you're actually more likely to see videos featuring sexualized content and false claims than personalized interests.
In a study with more than 37,000 volunteers, Mozilla found that 71 percent of YouTube's recommended videos were flagged as objectionable by participants. The volunteers used a browser extension to track their YouTube usage over 10 months, and when they flagged a video as problematic, the extension recorded if they came across the video via YouTube's recommendation or on their own.
The study called these problematic videos "YouTube Regrets," signifying any regrettable experience had via YouTube information. Such Regrets included videos "championing pseudo-science, promoting 9/11 conspiracies, showcasing mistreated animals, [and] encouraging white supremacy." One girl's parents told Mozilla that their 10-year-old daughter fell down a rabbit hole of extreme dieting videos while seeking out dance content, leading her to restrict her own eating habits.
Prime Day deals you can shop right now
Products available for purchase here through affiliate links are selected by our merchandising team. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.iRobot Roomba Essential Vac Q011 Robot Vacuum Cleaner—$159.99(List Price $249.99)
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ 10.9" 64GB Wi-Fi Tablet—$142.49(List Price $219.99)
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Gen With MagSafe USB-C Charging Case—$168.99(List Price $249.00)
Fitbit Charge 6 Fitness Tracker With 6-Months Membership—$99.95(List Price $159.95)
Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS, 41mm, Midnight, S/M, Sports Band)—$279.99(List Price $399.00)
What causes these videos to become recommended is their ability to go viral. If videos with potentially harmful content manage to accrue thousands or millions of views, the recommendation algorithm may circulate it to users, rather than focusing on their personal interests.
YouTube removed 200 videos flagged through the study, and a spokesperson told the Wall Street Journalthat "the company has reduced recommendations of content it defines as harmful to below 1% of videos viewed." The spokesperson also said that YouTube has launched 30 changes over the past year to address the issue, and the automated system now detects and removes 94 percent of videos that violate YouTube's policies before they reach 10 views.
While it's easy to agree on removing videos featuring violence or racism, YouTube faces the same misinformation policing struggles as many other social media sites. It previously removed QAnon conspiracies that it deemed capable of causing real-world harm, but plenty of similar-minded videos slip through the cracks by arguing free speech or claiming entertainment purposes only.
YouTube also declines to make public any information about how exactly the recommendation algorithm works, claiming it as proprietary. Because of this, it's impossible for us as consumers to know if the company is really doing all it can to combat such videos circulating via the algorithm.
While 30 changes over the past year is an admirable step, if YouTube really wants to eliminate harmful videos on its platform, letting its users plainly see its efforts would be a good first step toward meaningful action.
(责任编辑:新闻中心)
- ·Amazon Android Days sale 2024: Save on unlocked phones, tablets, and more
- ·UN committee adopts resolution criticizing chemical weapon use in Kim Jong
- ·Microsoft Paint is not being killed and people are thrilled
- ·儿童保险市场火热 市民投保须谨慎
- ·Courting Disaster
- ·做深做实做细“四好农村路+”
- ·Djokovic's greatness will be recognised eventually: Medvedev
- ·U.S. to send nuclear
- ·Nvidia GeForce Now Ultimate vs. New Graphics Card
- ·亮“眼”登场!高州龙眼闪耀粤海天河城全国22屏
- ·21 Caves That Offer Otherworldly Experiences
- ·N. Korea shows no signs of nuclear test preparations: 38 North
- ·How Facebook might take on the Amazon Echo
- ·Team will dedicate T20 World Cup to Asif Ali’s late daughter
- ·25 Years Later: A Brief Analysis of GPU Processing Efficiency
- ·It's time for Samsung to explain what the hell is wrong with the Note7
- ·Park stresses importance of education for sustainable development
- ·US presses China to cut oil supply to North Korea
- ·应对高温 户外驿站送清凉
- ·Xi suggests 'sound, stable' China