Under increasing pressure to protect minors from sensitive content, YouTube has begun using artificial intelligence (AI) to detect users who may be minors posing as adults.
According to Agence France-Presse, this new safety measure is being rolled out first in the United States. YouTube, owned by Google, along with other social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, has faced scrutiny for failing to adequately shield children from exposure to adult content.
YouTube’s Head of Teen Product Management, Bethser, explained that the platform will use a machine learning AI system to estimate a user’s age. The system considers multiple factors, including the types of videos watched and the age of the account, to make its assessment.
“This technology allows us to infer a user’s age and provide an age-appropriate experience and protections, regardless of the birthday entered on the account,” he said. He added that the system has been tested in other markets and has shown promising results.
YouTube emphasized that this age-estimation model enhances existing age verification methods. If a user is flagged as a minor, the platform will notify them and may require verification via credit card, a selfie, or government-issued ID.
