YouTube is rolling out a new artificial intelligence-based age verification system in the United States starting Wednesday, August 13. This AI will identify users under 18 by analyzing the types of videos they watch, aiming to shield young audiences from inappropriate content.
How YouTube’s AI Age Check Works
The system will initially be tested on a small group of U.S. users before expanding globally. It only works when viewers are logged into their YouTube accounts, assessing age based on viewing behavior—not just the birthdate entered at signup.
When a user is flagged as underage, YouTube will automatically apply existing safeguards, including:
- Privacy warnings
- Restrictions on video recommendations
- Reminders to take screen breaks
- No personalized ads for users under 18
Fixing Mistakes: What to Do if You’re Wrongly Flagged
If YouTube mistakenly identifies a user as a minor, they can correct the error by verifying their age with a government-issued ID, a credit card, or a selfie.
James Beser, YouTube’s director of product management, stated in a July 29 blog post: “We’re proud to again be at the forefront of introducing technology that allows us to deliver safety protections while preserving teen privacy.”
