YouTube AI age estimation is an AI-powered feature that determines a user’s age. It uses data such as their viewing history to determine their age. It is very difficult for minors to bypass YouTube age restrictions. This MiniTool Video Converter post explains how the feature works and why it is important.
What Is YouTube AI Age Estimation?
YouTube will officially use AI tools to estimate user age in August 2025 to identify users under the age of 18. According to YouTube, this technology determines a user’s age by analyzing their watching history, the types of videos they watch, and their account activity.
Furthermore, this AI age estimation feature is not affected by the date of birth filled in the user’s profile. In other words, this feature can determine a user’s age even if they lie about their age in their profile.
If AI identifies a user’s age as under 18, YouTube will automatically enable several safety measures for this user:
- Disable personalized ads and enable non-personalized ads.
- Automatically activate digital wellbeing tools to remind the user to take a break if they’ve been watching videos for too long.
- Limit content that is harmful to the physical and mental well-being of minors.
- Display privacy reminders when the user uploads videos or publishes comments.
- Block age-restricted content.
YouTube AI-driven age estimation feature has caused concern among many underage users, as it could potentially restrict them from watching the types of videos they previously enjoyed.
Why YouTube Requires Age Estimation?
YouTube uses AI to estimate user age to protect minors from inappropriate content. When AI identifies a user as under 18, the user is required to undergo age verification. During this review process, YouTube restricts the user’s access to potentially inappropriate or harmful content, such as videos containing violent themes.
On the other hand, more and more countries and regions are enacting cybersecurity laws. These laws require platforms like YouTube to implement stricter age verification measures. Currently, YouTube AI-driven age estimation is only being tested with a small number of users in the United States. However, this feature may also roll out to other countries and regions in the future.
How to Verify Your Age on YouTube
If the YouTube AI-powered age estimation feature suspects you are under 18, you will receive a notification for age verification. If you are mistakenly identified as a minor by the AI, you can follow the steps below to verify your age:
Step 1. Verify Your Identity
YouTube offers three ways to verify your identity. You can choose to enter your credit card information, upload a photo of a valid government-issued ID (such as a driver license or passport), or upload a selfie to verify your age.
Step 2. Verify Your Age
After you provide your identification information, YouTube will carefully review it. If the verification confirms that you are 18 years of age or older, YouTube will remove any restrictions on you.
Can You Bypass YouTube Age Estimation?
Before YouTube launched its AI-powered age estimation feature, minors could pass themselves off as adults by lying about their birthdates. But now, bypassing YouTube’s age estimation system has become much more difficult.
The AI-powered age estimation feature now determines a user’s age based on their viewing history and account activity. Once this feature is implemented, it will become increasingly difficult for minors to evade detection.
Conclusion
This post tells you what YouTube AI age estimation is. Now, you know how this feature works. It seems impossible to watch some videos due to the age restrictions. However, this also further protects minors.
About The Author
Position: Columnist
Mia loves music and art, and likes to listen to music alone in her spare time. Now, Mia is the English editor of MiniTool. She is good at writing YouTube tips, video conversion, and video recording. She is committed to bringing more multimedia knowledge to readers.