• Source:JND
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YouTube is adopting a new approach to estimating age and recognising teenagers in the United States with a new machine learning feature. This would enable the enforcement of more protective measures than those currently implemented during the registration phase. This change marks a continued effort on YouTube’s part to replace self-assessment age verification with more complex systems that rely on behavioural and activity analytics. This change is part of YouTube’s continuous attempts to bolster user safety on the platform, particularly with growing political and regulatory concerns.

Why YouTube Is Doing This

Teen safety has become an increasing focus for tech platforms as scrutiny of how social media impacts mental health and wellbeing increases. YouTube already had protections in place, but these only applied to users who voluntarily confirmed their age; that loophole will now close.

The new age estimation system aims to:

  • Detect underage users even if they lie about their age
  • Apply protections automatically
  • Comply with emerging US and UK regulations around teen safety online

How the New System Works

YouTube says it will use a combination of signals to estimate a user’s age. While it hasn’t revealed the full list, it has confirmed that it includes:

  • Account activity
  • Viewing history
  • The age and longevity of the account

This system only affects signed-in users. Those browsing without an account already can’t access age-restricted content.

If the system flags a user as under 18:

  • Personalised ads will be turned off
  • Repetitive viewing of sensitive content (like body image videos) will be restricted
  • Digital well-being tools (screen time tracking, bedtime reminders) will be activated

If a user is incorrectly flagged as a teen, they can verify their age using a government ID, credit card, or selfie.

Gradual Rollout and Monitoring

This isn’t a platform-wide flip of a switch. YouTube is first rolling out the feature to a small percentage of users in the US. The company says it will monitor the effectiveness of its detection models before expanding to more users or additional countries.

The age-estimation tech was first teased in YouTube’s 2025 roadmap and reflects a growing trend across platforms to lean on machine learning to enforce policy—not just user input.

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The Bigger Picture: Regulation Is Coming

Governments around the world are tightening down on tech platforms concerning age verification and child safety in the US.

  • With over a dozen US states, such as Texas, Utah, Arkansas and Florida, passing or introducing legislation requiring age checks or parental consent before minors use social platforms such as Facebook.
  • Although certain laws remain blocked or in the process of being implemented, the trend is clear: self-regulation has given way to compliance.

In the UK, new age-verification requirements began rolling out this week under the Online Safety Act passed in 2023.

Meanwhile, tech companies are still debating who bears the responsibility for age checks—platform makers like Apple and Google, or the apps themselves. YouTube appears to be moving first.

Conclusion: A Safer YouTube, Whether You Ask for It or Not

YouTube’s new age estimation system is a big step toward a platform that enforces teen safety by design, not just by declaration. While some users may push back against automated judgments, the move shows YouTube responding to the political, legal, and ethical demands of our time. One thing’s certain—lying about your age online is about to get a lot harder.