YouTube will use AI to restrict content to minors

In an era where teenagers are consuming digital content like never before, YouTube has decided to take matters into its own hands. The world's largest video platform announced the implementation of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based system that aims to determine the real age of its users , without relying solely on the information they provide when creating their account.

The announcement marks a turning point in the fight to protect minors from sensitive or inappropriate content . According to data from the Pew Research Center, 90% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 actively use YouTube, making this platform a key environment for implementing more effective digital control measures.

Lucía, a mother of two, was shocked to discover her youngest son was watching adult content on YouTube, despite having a restricted account. The catch: he had simply changed his date of birth when registering. Cases like Lucía's prompted Google to rethink its child protection strategy.

Now, with this new system, age will not be validated solely with written data, but with actual browsing and consumption habits .

YouTube's new technology analyzes multiple variables:

• Type of content displayed
• User's favorite categories
• Time of use and age of the account

If the system detects that a user's behavior corresponds to that of a minor, the account will be automatically reclassified , with restrictions that include:

• Blocking sensitive content
• Opting out of personalized ads
• Limiting repeated viewing of certain videos

According to James Beser, head of product at YouTube, this AI not only improves the accuracy of parental controls, but also limits the circumvention of filters by teens who manipulate their age.

Adult users who are mistakenly identified as minors will be able to provide official documentation to verify their age. This appeals process seeks to balance protection with fairness, especially for shared accounts or those with atypical histories.

YouTube also clarified that these measures do not replace other forms of parental controls , but rather complement them, along with the supervised accounts already available for families.

For now, the pilot phase of the system will be deployed in the United States , and will subsequently be expanded to other regions based on initial results. Although YouTube already employs similar mechanisms in other markets, details regarding its full geographic reach have not been revealed.

This step represents a combination of child protection and freedom of expression , as YouTube has also adjusted its policies to prioritize responsible content without excessive censorship, The New York Times reported.

The new measure represents a key tool for parents, teachers, and guardians , who face the daily challenge of regulating the digital content their children access. It's not just about restricting content, but also about developing healthy and safe online consumption habits .

AI-based algorithmic monitoring is a resource that could make the difference between a formative experience and a potentially harmful one for millions of young people.