Starting August 13, 2025, YouTube will implement an improved AI model that will automatically identify user accounts under the age of 18. The account age and user activity will be taken into account, after which appropriate restrictions will be applied to minors.
These restrictions include blocking age-restricted videos, showing only non-personalized ads, reminding you to take a break, and limiting repeat recommendations on sensitive topics, including body image. In addition, minors will automatically be shown privacy reminders when commenting or uploading videos.
YouTube will notify users if they are classified as a minor. If they are in error, the user will be able to verify their age with a document, selfie, or credit card.
The initiative is part of Google's broader campaign to strengthen protections for children online. Similar measures have already come into force in the UK and are being considered in some US states and the EU.
YouTube warns that some creators may earn less because recommendations will not target children's accounts. The new system will first be tested on a small group of users in the US, before being rolled out to other countries.