YouTube has started testing a new system in the United States that tries to figure out how old users are based on how they use the platform. This technology looks at different pieces of information to estimate whether someone might be a teenager, even if they said something else when they created their account.
The new system is being introduced in stages. Only a small group of users will see it at first. YouTube plans to check how it performs before making it more widely available.
Why This Matters for Teen Users
If the system decides that someone is under 18, YouTube will automatically switch on features that are meant to offer a safer experience. This includes turning off personalized ads and reducing how often certain types of videos are shown repeatedly. It will also activate reminders for screen time and bedtime, along with other tools that support healthy use of the platform.
These settings already exist, but until now, they were only applied to users who had confirmed their age. Many teens skip that step or enter a different date when signing up. YouTube is trying to cover that gap by using patterns in user behavior instead of relying on what people enter.
How Mistakes Are Handled
Some adults may be flagged by mistake. If that happens, they’ll be asked to prove their age. They can do this by uploading a photo of a government ID, using a credit card, or submitting a live selfie. Once verified, they can access content that is only available to users over 18.
If the system believes someone is an adult based on their account history or usage habits, they won’t need to go through the verification process.
Background on YouTube’s Plans
YouTube had already mentioned its plan to use this kind of technology earlier this year. The move fits into a broader effort to add more safety features for young users. In the past, the platform launched a separate app for children and introduced supervised accounts for teens.
The new system builds on that approach and focuses on users who are signed in. Those who aren’t logged in already face limits on what they can watch, especially when it comes to age-restricted videos.
What Data Is Being Used
YouTube hasn’t listed every detail, but it said it will look at how long an account has been active and how people interact with videos. The goal is to make a reasonable guess without asking for too much personal data upfront.
This is part of a larger trend where companies are being pushed to do more to protect minors online. Lawmakers in several U.S. states are working on or have passed new rules that make age checks or parental consent a requirement. These include places like Texas, Georgia, Florida, Utah, Maryland, and Connecticut.
Some of those laws are already being challenged in court, and a few haven’t taken effect yet. But the direction is clear. Governments want more responsibility from platforms when it comes to younger users.
Other Countries Are Moving Too
In the United Kingdom, a new law passed in 2023 has also started to take effect. It requires websites to check the age of their users. Platforms that don’t follow the rules could face penalties.
YouTube’s update is one example of how companies are responding to this shift. The use of machine learning to estimate age is becoming more common, even though the full list of signals being used is usually kept private.
For now, the rollout remains small. The company said it will expand once it’s sure the system works as intended.
Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen.
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