YouTube is expanding its built-in protections for US teens by using machine learning to estimate users' ages based on their viewing history and behavior. This technology helps distinguish teens from adults to provide age-appropriate experiences and safety measures, regardless of the birthday listed on the account. The rollout will start with a small group of US users and expand after monitoring the system's effectiveness.
Age Detection Technology
YouTube’s AI analyzes signals such as video search types, watched categories, and account longevity to infer whether a user is under or over 18. When identified as a teen, users receive protections including:
- Disabled personalized advertising
- Enabled digital wellbeing tools
- Safeguards on recommendations, such as limiting repetitive content
If the system mistakenly classifies a user as under 18, they can verify their age through methods like credit card or government ID verification. Only users inferred or verified as over 18 can access age-restricted content.
Commitment to Safety and Privacy
YouTube emphasizes its long-standing focus on providing safe, age-appropriate experiences, citing its early launch of YouTube Kids and supervised accounts for younger users. The platform aims to balance safety protections with teen privacy, continuing to invest in tools that help families explore content safely.
Future Plans
After successful implementation in other markets, YouTube plans to extend this age detection technology beyond the US, working closely with creators to ensure the ecosystem benefits from these updates.
