Overview

• The AI model analyzes signals like watch history and account longevity to infer whether logged-in users are under 18, overriding declared birthdates.
• Accounts flagged as minors are auto-enrolled in teen safeguards including non-personalized ads, digital-wellbeing reminders and restricted recommendations.
• Users who believe they’ve been misclassified can verify their age with a government ID, a selfie or credit card data under commitments that verification details won’t fuel ad targeting.
• YouTube will monitor the pilot’s accuracy and legal compliance as creators potentially face default privacy settings and reduced ad revenue when more viewers are recategorized as teens.
• The limited U.S. rollout follows similar age-inference efforts by platforms like Instagram and aligns with growing regulatory expectations for child safety online.