Under 18? Google’s AI will now catch you if you are faking your age

Google

Are you under 18 but trying to access content restricted by Google? Well, things are now going to change for you if you are faking your age. Google is cracking down on kids who fake their age on YouTube by using machine learning to figure out how old users really are. This will help block underage viewers from watching adult content.

This new system, set to start testing later this year, will analyze what people search for and watch. If it thinks someone is under 18, YouTube will automatically apply stricter content filters, blocking age-restricted and explicit videos.

YouTube’s CEO, Neal Mohan, talked about this recently, saying the platform wants to create “the best and most age-appropriate experiences and protections.” The full rollout is planned for 2026.

The machine learning system will look for clues like the topics users search for and the age of their Google account. For example, someone looking up mortgage advice or tax videos is probably an adult, while a user watching cartoons or kids' content may be flagged as underage.

But this isn't just about YouTube—Google is expanding its child safety measures across other platforms too. One big change is that “School Time,” a feature previously only available on kids’ smartwatches, is coming to Android phones and tablets. This lets parents control which apps their children can use during school hours.Another update will allow parents to approve or block new contacts on their child’s device. Google is also rolling out tap-to-pay for kids, so parents can approve payments and track spending.