YouTube is significantly ramping up the use of its AI-powered age estimation tool. This feature, initially introduced in July, employs a sophisticated AI model to analyze user behavior and determine if an individual is under or over 18 years old. If the system identifies a user as a minor, the Google-owned streaming platform imposes several restrictions on their account. Recently, many users reported that their accounts were reclassified as minor accounts.
YouTube’s Age Estimation Tool Cracks Down on Minor Accounts
Initially brought to light by 9to5Google, numerous users across Reddit’s r/YouTube community started sharing experiences of encountering a pop-up message. This message informed them that their account settings were being altered because the company couldn’t confirm they were adults.
YouTube displays pop-up messages when an account is restricted.
Photo Credit: Reddit/u/Basic-Opposite-4670
The screenshot, originally shared by Reddit user u/Basic-Opposite-4670, shows a pop-up titled “We’ve changed some of your settings.” The message explains that the AI system couldn’t confirm the user was over 18, and it provides an option to verify their age.
YouTube had previously stated that this technology was being rolled out to safeguard teenagers and children from inappropriate content and personalized advertisements. This AI-powered tool differs from the platform’s traditional age verification, which relies on a user’s stated birth date. Instead, it gathers and analyzes various user activity data, including video search history, content categories watched, and the age of the account itself.
YouTube admits that the system can sometimes make errors in determining a user’s age. If an account is incorrectly flagged as belonging to a minor, users must verify their age by submitting a government ID, uploading a verification selfie, or providing credit card details.
Should users fail to complete this verification, their accounts will remain restricted on the platform. These restrictions include: inability to watch age-restricted videos, age-appropriate video recommendations, non-personalized ads, digital wellbeing tools enabled by default, and video uploads automatically set to private.