YouTube is introducing an AI-powered system that estimates a user’s age, independent of the birthdate provided during account setup. This change is aimed at applying safety and privacy protections to a wider group of under-18 users in the United States.
Why YouTube Is Making This Change
Previously, YouTube relied on the age users entered when signing up to determine eligibility for teen-specific protections. Now, with advancements in AI, the platform is shifting toward a behavior-based model to better flag underage users and activate safeguards automatically.
This model has been live in other parts of the world and, according to YouTube, has proven effective. The US rollout marks the next step in expanding coverage.
How the Age Estimation Model Works
The new system analyzes a combination of account history and user behavior. Signals may include:
- How long the account has been active
- Viewing habits and interaction styles
If the system identifies someone as likely under 18, the user will be notified. If they disagree, they can submit proof using:
- A government-issued ID
- A facial selfie
- A credit card authentication
What Under-18 Viewers Can Expect
For those flagged as teens, YouTube will enable specific protections automatically. These include:
- Displaying only ads that don’t rely on personal tracking
- Enabling digital wellness tools like watch-time breaks and bedtime alerts
- Showing prompts about sharing personal information before uploading or commenting
- Reducing exposure to repetitive viewing of potentially sensitive content
- Blocking access to age-restricted videos unless verification is completed
Impact on Content Creators
Some creators may see policy-related changes if their audience includes more viewers under 18. Specific actions include:
- Videos from teen creators may be published as private by default
- Live gifting tools may be restricted for vertical live broadcasts
- Audience reports may shift, and ad revenue might decline slightly due to non-personalized ad delivery for teen views
YouTube emphasized that these impacts are expected to be limited in scope. Updates to Analytics are also planned to reflect this newer age-detection system instead of just relying on the user-entered birth year.
Availability
The rollout begins August 13, 2025, and will initially apply to users located in the United States.