Healthy Lifestyles and Self-Improvement Videos on YouTube: A Thematic Analysis of Teen-Targeted Social Media Content

2025-09-29

AI Summary

This study examines the implicit value orientations and influence mechanisms underlying adolescents’ exposure to health and self-improvement content on social media—particularly YouTube. Using thematic analysis, we systematically coded and synthesized 44 high-engagement videos and 66,901 associated comments to identify content themes, user interaction patterns, and community-building features. Results reveal that high-quality videos leveraging authentic narratives effectively convey practical strategies, fostering identification, sustained engagement, and adolescent-centered supportive communities; conversely, scientifically unsubstantiated or ethically skewed content risks cognitive misalignment and normative distortion. Our key contribution lies in the first empirical integration of multimodal video content with large-scale user commentary data, uncovering the dual-edged tension between behavioral empowerment and latent harm in youth-targeted health content. Based on these findings, we propose three actionable interventions: platform-level algorithmic refinements, creator-oriented ethical guidelines, and educator-facilitated collaborative digital literacy initiatives.

Technology Category

• Application Domains: Humanities & Computational Social Science
• Data Mining & Knowledge Management: Graph Mining, Social Network Analysis & Community
• Humans and AI: Learning Human Values and Preferences

Application Category

• Web Mining and Content Analysis: Content-based information diffusion
• User Modeling, Personalization and Recommendation: Personalized content ranking and presentation
• Responsible Web: Mitigating online harms, including harassment, spam, and fake reviews

Abstract

As teenagers increasingly turn to social media for health-related information, understanding the values of teen-targeted content has become important. Although videos on healthy lifestyles and self-improvement are gaining popularity on social media platforms like YouTube, little is known about how these videos benefit and engage with teenage viewers. To address this, we conducted a thematic analysis of 44 YouTube videos and 66,901 comments. We found that these videos provide various advice on teenagers' common challenges, use engaging narratives for authenticity, and foster teen-centered communities through comments. However, a few videos also gave misleading advice to adolescents that can be potentially harmful. Based on our findings, we discuss design implications for creating relatable and intriguing social media content for adolescents. Additionally, we suggest ways for social media platforms to promote healthier and safer experiences for teenagers.

Problem

• Analyzes YouTube content targeting teens about healthy lifestyles and self-improvement
• Investigates how videos engage teenagers through advice and community building
• Identifies potential harms from misleading advice in teen-targeted social media

Innovation

• Thematic analysis of YouTube videos and comments
• Engaging narratives for authenticity and relatability
• Fostering teen-centered communities through interactive comments