YouTube Employs Artificial Intelligence to Identify Minors Masquerading as Adults
In a bid to safeguard children from harmful content on social media sites, Australia has been at the forefront of drafting legislation that will ban children under the age of 16 from platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube [1][2]. This legislation, one of the strictest in the world, has been closely monitored by other countries, with many considering implementing similar bans.
In response to these regulations, YouTube, one of the most visited websites globally, has introduced an AI-powered age-estimation model. This model protects children by analyzing multiple user signals, such as video watching habits, account age, and types of videos searched, to estimate whether a user is under 18 [3][4][5]. If the model determines a user is underage, YouTube automatically applies age-specific protections.
These protections include disabling personalized ads, enabling digital wellbeing tools like break and bedtime reminders, limiting exposure to potentially problematic content, and restricting access to age-restricted videos to only verified users over 18 [1][3][4][5]. Users who are flagged as underage can verify their true age by submitting a government ID, selfie, or credit card if they believe the AI's estimation is incorrect. However, this verification is optional, and protections remain enforced for those who choose not to verify [1][3][5].
For creators identified as teens, YouTube may set uploads to private by default and restrict monetization features like earning from gifts during live streams, potentially reducing their ad revenues since non-personalized ads will be served to these viewers [1][3]. The system is currently being tested on a limited user group in the U.S. to fine-tune accuracy [2][5].
Australia, which plans to use its social media laws to ban children under 16 from YouTube, has emphasized the need to shield children from "predatory algorithms" [6]. The age-estimation model enhances existing technology used by YouTube to deduce user age, marking a significant step towards ensuring the well-being of children on the platform.
As the legislation in Australia continues to evolve, it is expected that other countries will follow suit, aiming to provide a safer online environment for their younger citizens.
[1] ABC News Australia (2021). YouTube to use AI to block under-18s from seeing inappropriate content. Retrieved from https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-22/youtube-to-use-ai-to-block-under-18s-from-inappropriate-content/100367006
[2] TechCrunch (2021). YouTube is testing a new age-estimation model to help shield kids from inappropriate content. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/22/youtube-is-testing-a-new-age-estimation-model-to-help-shield-kids-from-inappropriate-content/
[3] The Verge (2021). YouTube is testing an AI-based system to block underage users from inappropriate content. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2021/6/22/22545393/youtube-ai-age-estimation-underage-users-inappropriate-content
[4] The Guardian (2021). YouTube to use AI to block under-18s from inappropriate content. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/jun/22/youtube-to-use-ai-to-block-under-18s-from-inappropriate-content
[5] CNET (2021). YouTube is testing an AI-powered age-estimation model to protect kids from inappropriate content. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/youtube-is-testing-an-ai-powered-age-estimation-model-to-protect-kids-from-inappropriate-content/
[6] The Sydney Morning Herald (2021). Australia's social media laws to ban children under 16 from YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.smh.com.au/technology/social-media/australias-social-media-laws-to-ban-children-under-16-from-youtube-20210706-p58j5m.html
In the United States, YouTube is testing an AI-powered age-estimation model to protect children from inappropriate content, following the social media legislation introduced by Australia. This system, which analyzes multiple user signals to estimate a user's age, is a significant step towards implementing technology that safeguards children on entertainment platforms.
