YouTube Rolls Out AI to Detect Underage Users, Faces Bans in Australia

As of August 15, 2025, YouTube has started using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify users who are children pretending to be adults on the platform. This new safeguard is being rolled out in the United States, where YouTube and other social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok are under scrutiny to shield children from content intended for adults.

The age-estimation model will use machine learning to assess factors like the types of videos watched and account longevity to determine if a user is a minor. If YouTube believes a user is a child, they will be given the option to verify their age using a credit card, selfie, or government ID.

This move comes as Australia announced plans to ban children under 16 from accessing YouTube, citing concerns over the platform's "predatory algorithms" and reports that four-in-ten Australian children have viewed harmful content on the site. The legislation, set to take effect on December 10, 2025, is considered one of the strictest social media bans for minors in the world and is being closely monitored by other countries.

YouTube maintains that it is a video-sharing platform, not a social media site, and that it provides free, high-quality content, increasingly viewed on TV screens. However, the company acknowledges the need to enhance protections for young users amid the growing use of YouTube in education.