Will YouTube Use AI to Verify User Age? How to Avoid Submitting ID Verification?

In recent years, with the increasing strength of regulatory environments, online platforms have begun to implement user identity verification, particularly age verification, which has become a hot topic. YouTube, as the largest video-sharing platform globally, has recently announced that it will use artificial intelligence (AI) technology to assess users’ ages, with this new measure expected to be officially implemented on August 13. This means that some users may be required to provide identity verification to prove they are adults.

For regular users, this raises some concerns, as it requires them to submit their identity verification to confirm they are adults. However, what is more noteworthy is that if you need to manage multiple YouTube accounts, or if your main account is under scrutiny in the United States, this update could make you feel anxious, especially if the concerned account is mistakenly flagged as underage, leading to verification flow issues.

Why Does YouTube Need to Implement AI Age Verification?

YouTube’s implementation is primarily based on legal requirements, particularly to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and related regulations, which distinguish between adult users and underage users. Due to certain features or content on YouTube that may not be suitable for underage users, the AI system will determine based on users’ search history, account age, types of videos viewed, and other factors.

New Challenges for Multiple YouTube Accounts

If you need to manage multiple YouTube accounts due to work, content creation, or other reasons, this AI verification will bring additional complexity. This is because:

1. IP address and device identifiers: The AI system may track activities from the same IP address or device, even if these accounts are different.
2. Viewing history correlation: If you share viewing devices or network environments between different accounts, the AI system may mistakenly link viewing history related to children’s content to adult accounts.

Therefore, how to continuously use multiple YouTube accounts without triggering verification processes becomes a pressing issue.

How to Securely Verify Age Through YouTube’s AI?

The most straightforward and safest method is to prove that you are indeed an adult. According to YouTube’s guidelines, if you are flagged by the AI system as underage, you can choose to submit valid identity verification documents (such as a driver’s license, passport, etc.) to verify your identity.

However, for those who do not wish or cannot submit identity verification but want to minimize verification flow, you can try the following methods:

Optimize Your Viewing History

The core of AI age verification relies on viewing history, so by adjusting your viewing habits, you can ensure that your viewing records accurately reflect your true age and interests, which is an effective way to avoid verification.

1. Identify and avoid children’s content: This is the most crucial step. You need to actively identify and avoid content that is flagged by YouTube as “made for kids”. Typically, this type of content will have specific labels on YouTube, such as:
   • Commenting features may be disabled: Children’s content often restricts commenting sections.
   • Cannot save to playlists: You may see prompts stating “this content is restricted for children”.
   • Clear labeling in video information: Check video details, which often state “suitable for all ages” (All Ages) or have TV-Y, G ratings for children’s programming.

For example: Some classic animated films (like Finding Nemo) on official channels will often be labeled as “made for kids”, and commenting and saving features may be restricted. However, some reruns or unofficial edits, even if the content itself is not necessarily for children, may still be labeled as “not suitable for children”, which often triggers commenting and saving features. You need to learn to distinguish these differences, focusing on the normal content that triggers commenting and saving features.

• Specific operational suggestions:
  • If you want to watch classic animations, try searching for unofficial channels that upload them, and open the commenting section.
  • Avoid directly visiting Disney Channel, Nickelodeon, and other official channels for complete series, as most of this content is “made for kids”.
  • For other types of videos, be aware of whether their features are restricted. The normal commenting and saving features are often labeled as “non-children’s content”.

2. Adapt to viewing “restricted content”: While viewing restricted content itself does not directly trigger age verification, over time, viewing more of this type of content, combined with other non-children’s content, can gradually indicate to the AI system your maturity level. However, please note that viewing records accumulate, so do not exceed the threshold.

Using Separate Viewing Environments and Habits for Multiple YouTube Accounts

For different accounts, you can adopt the following strategies:

1. Use separate devices and networks: For different accounts, use separate devices such as mobile phones, tablets, or network environments. For example, using cloud mobile services (like DuoPlus cloud mobile) can provide each account with a separate virtual device and IP environment, increasing the distance between accounts.
2. Manage your social media networks: Ensure that your YouTube account is linked to different social media networks (like Facebook) that also use different information. Although this factor may not be as significant as viewing history, it is still a point that requires attention.
3. Maintain good viewing record habits: For each account, set up a separate viewing plan that genuinely reflects your interests (adult content), such as education, technology, news, and non-children’s series, and ensure that these contents allow for commenting and saving.

Some Important Notes to Avoid ID Verification

Regarding the use of gaming screenshots or AI-generated fake ID images to simulate viewing records for verification, this may have certain effects, but the risks for YouTube accounts are relatively high.

• Legal risks: Fabricating identity information may violate local laws, especially regarding content creators who rely on advertising revenue, providing fake information could lead to severe legal consequences, including account bans and legal penalties.
• Technical risks: YouTube’s AI system, when assessing age, may continuously evolve, potentially detecting simulated viewing behaviors and non-real identity images. Using fake information against the AI system can easily be identified.
• Platform policies: YouTube explicitly prohibits the use of fake means to verify age, and once discovered, the consequences will be extremely severe, not only resulting in account loss but also potentially affecting personal credibility.

YouTube’s AI age verification policy is a trend, aimed at long-term, compliant use of YouTube, the most reliable approach remains:

1. Maintain genuine viewing history: Focus on viewing content suitable for adults, avoiding children’s content or videos labeled as “made for kids”.
2. Ensure compliance: Understand and adhere to YouTube’s service terms.
3. Consider using a cloud service: If you need to manage multiple accounts, consider using compliant cloud mobile services, providing each account with a more separate virtual identity and viewing environment, but must ensure the content’s authenticity and compliance.