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YouTube is now utilizing artificial intelligence to identify children who may be pretending to be adults in order to access mature content on the platform. This initiative aligns with increasing demands to protect young users from potentially harmful material.
The feature is being introduced in the U.S., as Google-owned YouTube faces heightened scrutiny alongside social media giants like Instagram and TikTok, which are also under pressure to safeguard minors. A machine learning algorithm will analyze various indicators—such as viewing habits and account age—to estimate users’ ages, according to James Beser, YouTube’s Director of Product Management for Youth.
“This technology enables us to infer a user’s age and use that information, regardless of the listed birthday, to provide age-appropriate experiences and protections,” Beser explained. “We’ve implemented this approach successfully in other regions for some time.”
This age-estimation system enhances existing methods for deducing user age. If YouTube suspects someone is a minor, it will notify them and offer verification options like credit card, government ID, or selfie.
Social media platforms have frequently been criticized for inadequate child protection. In Australia, new legislation will soon prohibit children under 16 from accessing YouTube, citing concerns over “predatory algorithms.” Minister Anika Wells reported that 40% of Australian children have encountered harmful content on YouTube, which remains one of the most popular websites globally. Last year, Australia announced plans to ban users under 16 from platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.
The country’s stance emphasizes that YouTube is primarily a source of free, high-quality videos rather than a social media site. The proposed ban will take effect on December 10, and its strictness has influenced other nations to consider similar measures.
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