YouTube, a platform owned by Google, is experimenting with a new technology in the United States designed to assess whether users are under 18. This initiative aims to enhance protections for younger audiences.
The platform has recently initiated the rollout of an “age-estimation model” that leverages artificial intelligence to determine users’ ages, independent of the birthdate they have provided in their accounts. If YouTube’s system deduces that a user is likely under 18, it will impose restrictions and additional security measures on that account.
If they believe the AI assessment is incorrect, users can contest this estimation by submitting a government-issued ID, a selfie, or a credit card.
In a blog post, James Beser, YouTube’s senior director of product management for youth products, stated that this technology will ensure “teens are treated as teens and adults as adults.” He emphasised that it will allow YouTube to gauge a user’s age based on various indicators, thus providing age-appropriate experiences and protections.
YouTube has successfully employed machine learning for age estimation in several other countries. In the U.S., the company plans to monitor the user experience closely and collaborate with creators to ensure this update benefits the broader community.
The age estimation model gathers a range of signals, including a user’s activity on the platform and the duration of their account. If a user is identified as under 18, they will be informed, and standard protections for teen accounts will be automatically activated.
These protections already apply to users who disclose their age, including:
- Displaying only non-personalised advertisements
- Activating “digital wellbeing” tools by default, such as reminders to take breaks and notifications for bedtime
- Providing reminders about privacy while uploading content or commenting publicly
- Reducing recommendations for potentially sensitive content
- Blocking access to videos restricted to audiences aged 18 and above
For content creators, YouTube will introduce certain safeguards, such as defaulting uploads to private for users under 18 and limiting the ability to earn from gifts during vertical live streams. Although YouTube expects these changes to have minimal impact on most creators, it acknowledges that some may notice an adjustment in their teen audience, potentially resulting in lower ad revenue as non-personalised ads will be shown to those viewers.
Beser concluded the blog post by stating, “YouTube has a proud history of creating experiences tailored for young users, and we are committed to leading the way in implementing technology that provides safety protections while upholding teens’ privacy. Families rely on YouTube to offer a secure and enriching online experience, and we will continue to invest in safeguarding their ability to explore safely.”
