YouTube AI Age Estimation Tool 2025: Now Restricts Minors

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YouTube has rolled out its advanced Youtube AI Age Estimation Tool to more users, aiming to protect minors and improve digital safety.

The tool uses artificial intelligence to estimate if a user is under 18 based on their activity, not just the birthdate entered.

Many users recently reported that their accounts were flagged as “minor,” causing sudden restrictions on features and content.

How YouTube AI Age Estimation Tool Works

YouTube AI Age Estimation Tool

YouTube’s AI system checks:

  • The kinds of videos an account searches for
  • Categories of videos watched
  • Account creation date and activity history
    If the AI cannot confirm the user is over 18, the system switches the account to “minor” status. This means digital wellbeing tools activate, and restrictions apply automatically.

If an adult user is affected by mistake, they can verify their age by uploading a government ID, taking a selfie, or adding a credit card. Without verification, restrictions stay in place.

What Restrictions Apply to Minor Accounts

Accounts labelled as minors face several changes:

  • Blocked access to age-restricted videos
  • Video recommendations are age-appropriate and avoid repetitive or sensitive content
  • No personalised ads; only general ads are shown
  • Digital wellbeing tools (like breaks and bedtime reminders) are enabled by default
  • Privacy reminders appear when uploading videos or leaving comments
  • Video uploads are private by default
  • Creators can’t earn gifts on vertical live streams

YouTube says these changes are to keep young users safer online and align with privacy laws worldwide. The system helps prevent underage users from being exposed to adult content—even when false birthdates are used.

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Jitendra Vaswani is a well-known expert in SEO and AI-driven digital marketing. He has spoken at international events and founded Digiexe, a digital marketing agency, and AffiliateBooster, WordPress plugin designed specifically for affiliate marketers. With over 10 years of experience, Jitendra has helped many businesses succeed online. His bestselling book, Inside A Hustler’s Brain: In Pursuit of Financial Freedom, with over 20,000 copies sold globally, underscores his influence and commitment to empowering digital marketers.