Youtube rolling out the age verification AI

[araya_tatsuya]

YouTube is rolling out AI-powered age verification in the US starting August 13, 2025, using machine learning to estimate users' ages from viewing habits and escalating to ID or facial scans if needed.

https://www.ecommercenorthamerica.org/2025/08/03/youtube-ai-privacy-age-verification-ecommerce/
https://www.webpronews.com/youtube-rolls-out-ai-age-verification-in-us-starting-august-2025/
https://cybernews.com/privacy/youtube-ai-age-verification-launch/

 

[TestAddress]

Well good. They will also disable content that opposes the narrative, which means you can only watch what is on ads.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

I'm not sure if it's a bad thing. And it's only for creating an account, not viewing videos, so i think it's borderline but not really bad. It suck for youngster who can't make playlists and such, but if it stop them to upload their life on youtube, paying youtubers with their parent's money or posting shit comments, it's fine. Watching stuff and engaging with others people is a very different thing.

Now, do it for all other social media (tik-tok, facebook, instagram) and also Discord, What's app and other distance communication tools, it will give a better world by reducing cyberharassement. If age verification is implemented on the net, let's at least take the best of it !

 

[Manko-sensei]

Well, in Australia most of the teens will be excluded from social media (16 years old or older will be able to): https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpv0zkxx0njo

 

[solstice258]

I'm not sure if it's a bad thing, but it's only for creating an account, not viewing videos. So i think it's borderline but not really bad. It suck for youngster who can't make playlists and such, but if it stop them to upload their life on youtube, paying youtubers with their parent's money or posting shit comments, it's fine. Watching stuff and engaging with others people is a very different thing.

Now, do it for all other social media (tik-tok, facebook, instagram) and also Discord, What's app and other distance communication tools, it will give a better world by reducing cyberharassement. If age verification is implemented on the net, let's at least take the best of it !

Thing is, they're not doing this to protect kids, they're doing it to collect everyone's data (more)
Parents should pay more attention to what their kids are doing on the internet.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

Parents should pay more attention to what their kids are doing on the internet.

Yes, they should. But parents can't control everything their teenagers/kids do on the net. It's impossible, even for those stupid helicopter parents, even without taking in account that teenagers have a right to some privacy.

 

[solstice258]

Yes, they should. But parents can't control everything their teenagers/kids do on the net. It's impossible, even for those stupid helicopter parents, even without taking in account that teenagers have a right to some privacy.

Actually when buying a phone / internet subscription, they could get the safe option for their kids (which is the default in my country for some reason, and it blocks certain websites, but it's nowhere near good) and actually give an option for adults to see adult content on social media instead of censoring it randomly.

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

Actually when buying a phone / internet subscription, they could get the safe option for their kids (which is the default in my country for some reason, and it blocks certain websites, but it's nowhere near good) and actually give an option for adults to see adult content on social media instead of censoring it randomly.

I bet you live in the UK, but here in France, there is no option like that. And i bet it's the same for every european country. And the real problem is not access to 18+ materials (i'm fine with teenagers watching it willingly, like they all do now), it's something else : young people are not mature enough to use social medias and face the dangers of internet (most adults also, i'd say).

 

[solstice258]

I bet you live in the UK, but here in France, there is no option like that. And i bet it's the same for every european country. And the real problem is not access to 18+ materials (i'm fine with teenagers watching it willingly, like they all do now), it's something else : young people are not mature enough to use social medias and face the dangers of internet (most adults also, i'd say).

No I'm not from the UK. I agree, but the choice to limit children's internet use should be in the parents' hands.
Unfortunately (as you said) most adults don't even see the dangers themselves, so education is the root of the issue

 

[Tony_Mushah]

Damn...

i can watch YouTube without any ad.
Go to social media without giving my ID,
Pirate every piece of internet content without being caught.
Access to any sketchy websites.

It would be kinda ironic if my country implemented a similar law tomorrow,
but there is no way they would be able to do that. Accessing the internet is already a pain in the ass here but adding that on top...

 

[KATCRX]

Honestly, as long as I can still watch age-restricted videos without a hitch, I'm cool with it.

 

[BakedBanana]

Every time I see something like this it makes me miss the old internet more and more, but alas, I guess today's internet is a different ball game entirely..
I'm just really surprised to see people in this thread okay with this.

 

[Angry_Panda]

I'm just really surprised to see people in this thread okay with this.

The only thing I worry about getting carded for at this point is the senior discount.

 

[Manko-sensei]

Every time I see something like this it makes me miss the old internet more and more, but alas, I guess today's internet is a different ball game entirely..
I'm just really surprised to see people in this thread okay with this.

Trust the plan AI, what can go wrong, everything?

 

[TestAddress]

It will be like the Matrix where if you try to get out, uh, the whole governments will come and chase you. Just for the sake of freedom of speech, even more freedom to think!

I'm not sure if it's a bad thing. And it's only for creating an account, not viewing videos, so i think it's borderline but not really bad. It suck for youngster who can't make playlists and such, but if it stop them to upload their life on youtube, paying youtubers with their parent's money or posting shit comments, it's fine. Watching stuff and engaging with others people is a very different thing.

Now, do it for all other social media (tik-tok, facebook, instagram) and also Discord, What's app and other distance communication tools, it will give a better world by reducing cyberharassement. If age verification is implemented on the net, let's at least take the best of it !

 

[OldVice]

Yes, they should. But parents can't control everything their teenagers/kids do on the net. It's impossible, even for those stupid helicopter parents, even without taking in account that teenagers have a right to some privacy.

My parents would beat the shit out of me (I'm exaggerating a little here) when they caught me doing something wrong on the internet, or otherwise. Maybe we need to go back to being able to actually discipline children instead of giving them a "very strong talking to". Or maybe I was just raised different. (I DO NOT advocate scumbags who abuse their children under the guise of discipline)

 

[UnnamedPlayer]

My parents would beat the shit out of me (I'm exaggerating a little here) when they caught me doing something wrong on the internet, or otherwise. Maybe we need to go back to being able to actually discipline children instead of giving them a "very strong talking to". Or maybe I was just raised different. (I DO NOT advocate scumbags who abuse their children under the guise of discipline)

My mom would also scold me harshly for things like that, and not even on the net.

But the problem is being caught ! You can't watch everything someone do on the net, they're not always behind you and can't.