YouTube unveils AI-powered safety feature for teen users

By Khairat Asokomhe

In a move to improve user safety, YouTube has announced a new in-app feature powered by machine learning to protect teenagers.

The built-in protection system uses age estimation technology to identify teen users and automatically apply safety measures.

According to a blog post by YouTube, artificial intelligence will analyse various signals to determine if a user is under or over 18. These include search queries, video categories watched, and account activity.

“We will use AI to interpret a variety of signals that help us to determine whether a user is over or under 18. These signals include the types of videos a user is searching for, the categories of videos they have watched, or the longevity of the account,” the company said.

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Once the system identifies a user as a teen, it immediately activates safeguards. These include turning off personalised ads, enabling wellbeing tools, adjusting content recommendations, and limiting exposure to certain content types.

“If the system incorrectly estimates a user to be under 18, they will have the option to verify that they are 18 or over, such as using a credit card or a government ID. We will only allow users who have been inferred or verified as over 18 to view age-restricted content that may be inappropriate for younger users,” YouTube added.

Over the years, YouTube has taken steps to protect its younger audience. It launched YouTube Kids over a decade ago and introduced supervised accounts for teens and pre-teens four years ago.

Now, the platform plans to roll out the new AI-driven age estimation system in the U.S. within the next few weeks. Initially, it will launch for a limited group of users. YouTube confirmed it will monitor the rollout and work with creators before expanding access.

By reinforcing its safety efforts, YouTube continues to support families seeking a secure space for education and entertainment. The platform remains committed to investing in tools that protect young users while respecting their privacy.

“Families rely on it for a secure and enriching environment, and we remain committed to investing in tools that ensure young users can explore the platform safely,” the statement concluded.