YouTube Will Start Guessing Your Age Based on Viewing Habits
YouTube is changing things up, and it seems like age verification is the new trend. I mean, they're not just taking your word for it anymore when you say you're old enough to watch certain videos.
They're rolling out these new "age-estimation tools." Basically, YouTube's going to try and figure out how old you are based on what you watch, search for, and how long you've been hanging around on the platform. It's all part of an effort to keep younger users away from adult content. This move is to supposedly deliver "age-appropriate" experiences. It's kind of like they're trying to be the responsible adult in the room, and I think it's needed in a world where misinformation can be spread so easily.
Machine learning is the tech behind this, and it's already being tested on a small group of users in the US. If YouTube thinks you might be under 18, it will start changing your experience. You'll get fewer personalized ads, be nudged to take breaks, and get a bit of help avoiding specific types of videos.
If you're wrongly flagged, you can tell YouTube you're over 18 by providing a credit card or government ID. On the other hand, if the platform determines you're an adult, you'll be good to go, and nothing will change.
YouTube's move comes at a time when the internet is really starting to focus on age verification. The UK now requires adult sites to verify users' ages, and the US Supreme Court has upheld a similar law in Texas. States are also looking at social media sites to protect teens, which I think is great. I believe children and teenagers are very susceptible to misinformation and other things.
It seems like YouTube is getting ready for a future where knowing someone's age online is more important than ever.
Source: Gizmodo