YouTube to Deploy AI to Spot & Block Underage User Accounts

• YouTube to use AI from Aug 13 to detect underage users
• Flagged accounts get stricter safety features and content limits
• Creators may face lower ad revenue and added restrictions

YouTube is about to experiment with an AI-based age estimation feature in the U.S in hopes of better protecting underage users beginning August 13. The feature relied solely on a person's activity on the platform and account characteristics like usage behavior and length of account. The new feature will allow YouTube to flag and recognize users under 18 who haven't declared their age.

If a user is flagged as underage, they will receive a notification and have the option to verify their age through the use of a government-issued ID, credit card, or selfie. If the user confirms under 18, they will enact standard safety measures that are already in place for verified minors.

Standard safety requirements include non-personalized ads, the default digital wellbeing tools such as reminders to take breaks, limited recommendations of videos, and prompts for privacy when another person can see when or how they upload and comment.

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YouTube has made it clear that users need to be at least 18 years of age to use any age-restricted content. This move is part of a larger industry effort to create a safer space for children and provide responsible comments as a digital citizen, and the use of AI in every industry continues to grow.

For creators, this update could impact whether they can monetize their content. Viewers classified as minors will continue to see non-personalized ads, which will affect ad revenue to creators.

Also, creators classified as minors will have additional measures in place and will default to private uploads, and they will not be able to earn from gifts during vertical live streams. YouTube has stated that they will have better tools for creators and update audience analytics to show AI age data.

This initiative reinforces YouTube's priority to help create a more responsible, less reckless way for younger audiences to use the platform, while finding balance in safety and creator experience in the future ahead with the knowledge of AI nearness and growth in the industry.