YouTube is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) technology to verify the ages of its users, aiming to limit children’s exposure to harmful content, according to a report by CNN. While the move is designed to improve online safety, some users have raised concerns about how it may affect their privacy.
The new system will analyze user behavior on the platform and the length of time an account has been active, rather than relying only on the birth date entered at registration. Currently, the feature is being tested with a limited group of users in the United States, but YouTube plans to expand it to a wider audience in the coming months.
If the AI determines that a user is underage, the account will automatically be placed under YouTube’s safety settings for teenagers. This means that sensitive material, including videos containing violence or sexual themes, will be restricted. Adults who are incorrectly flagged as minors will need to confirm their age by uploading a government-issued ID or a selfie. The requirement to share personal information is one of the main privacy concerns voiced by users.
The AI-based system will apply only to registered users. Teenagers could still bypass some restrictions by using the platform without signing in. However, those not logged into an account will be unable to access age-restricted content.
YouTube and other social media platforms are tightening age checks after criticism that teenagers often evade restrictions by entering false birth dates. Parents and lawmakers argue that easy access to such sites can endanger children’s safety and mental health.
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, announced last year that it would use AI to detect underage users who misrepresent their age. TikTok also employs similar technology to identify users under 13, which is the minimum legal age to use its platform.
In a broader move, the Australian government recently became the first in the world to pass a law banning children under 16 from using social media. This legislation places the responsibility on tech companies to ensure minors cannot access their platforms. A YouGov survey found that 77% of Australians support the measure, which CNN describes as the strictest global response so far to the risks posed by teenage social media use.
