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Google will soon begin testing a machine learning-based model that can estimate a user's age—or at least whether they're under 18, "so that we can apply protections to help provide more age-appropriate experiences," Google says.
Tests will start in the US this year before expanding to other countries over time. Google says the model will use signals already associated with someone's account, like the types of sites they search for or videos they watch, as well as how long their account has been around.
If Google's system makes a mistake and flags an older user as under 18, those people can appeal and prove their age via something like a selfie, credit card, or government ID. Google says it will add more age-verification options over time.
Technically, 13-year-olds can have Google accounts, but Google can age-restrict content for kids under 18, including turning on SafeSearch. And parents can keep tabs via Google's Family Link parental-control system. But it's also relatively easy to just lie about your age when signing up for a Google account.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan hinted about this new model in his “big bets for 2025” letter on Tuesday. “We'll use machine learning in 2025 to help us estimate a user’s age – distinguishing between younger viewers and adults – to help provide the best and most age-appropriate experiences and protections,” he wrote.