YouTube launches a platform to document videos that provide health information
YouTube has in the past been subjected to many criticisms for broadcasting inaccurate and misleading health information (Anatolia)
Video streaming site YouTube has started adding a premium tag to videos that provide reliable health information, in an attempt to reduce the effects of inaccurate and misleading content on the platform.
"A new format for providing information has been developed to make it easier to classify the origin of any health-related video that can be viewed," said Gareth Graham, director of YouTube and global head of the YouTube health platform.
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Graham added - in a statement to the German press agency-that Germany will be the first country where the YouTube health platform will make the new feature available, noting that "reliable sources" of health-related topics were important for YouTube, which serves more than two billion users a year from around the world.
YouTube has been criticized in the past for broadcasting inaccurate and misleading health information. In mid-2020, the European Commission warned against false information on YouTube, as part of a campaign to combat misinformation related to the emerging coronavirus pandemic.
At the same time, posts broadcast by Channels Marked "Health" on YouTube will be highlighted when they appear on the search pages for health-related content.
This step will make it easier for users to access trusted health content.
YouTube Health expected to launch early 2023 (European)
The channels of Health and educational institutions, ministries of health, government institutions and medical journals will be at the forefront of the channels that will be awarded the "Seha" mark, as these entities can apply for the distinctive mark starting from October 27, and the YouTube health platform is expected to be launched in early 2023.
YouTube applies a set of criteria prepared by the National Academy of Medicine (a US non-governmental organization) to select sources that deserve to receive a "authenticity" mark for the content they broadcast.
The World Health Organization has also approved the standards set by YouTube to classify sources of health content.