YouTube has introduced a new safeguard powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to detect children pretending to be adults on its platform, as pressure mounts on tech firms to protect minors from inappropriate content.
The initiative, currently being rolled out in the United States, uses machine learning to estimate user age by analyzing factors such as video preferences and account history. According to James Beser, YouTube Youth’s director of product management, the system goes beyond declared birthdays to deliver age-appropriate experiences.
“This technology will allow us to infer a user’s age and then apply proper protections, regardless of what the account says,” Beser explained. He added that similar models have already been tested in other countries with positive results.
If flagged as minors, users will be prompted to verify their age with a credit card, government ID, or selfie. The update builds on YouTube’s existing age-estimation systems.
The move comes as governments worldwide demand stronger child safety measures on digital platforms. In Australia, landmark social media laws are set to ban children under 16 from YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook starting December 10. Officials argue such measures are needed to shield minors from “predatory algorithms” and harmful content.
With four in ten Australian children reportedly exposed to harmful material on YouTube, Communications Minister Anika Wells stressed that the new restrictions are essential. While YouTube maintains it is a video-sharing platform rather than a social media app, its massive influence has put it under close scrutiny globally.
