Alphabet’s (GOOGL) YouTube is bringing new safety features to the U.S. This update will focus on estimating the age of a user behind a YouTube account. By doing so, it can offer additional protections for teens on the platform. These changes will go into effect on August 13, 2025, for everyone under the age of 18.
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A few changes that creators and viewers will have to watch out for include:
- Showing only non-personalized ads.
- Enabling digital wellbeing tools by default, including “take a break” and bedtime reminders.
- Showing reminders about privacy when uploading a video or commenting publicly.
- Minimizing recommendations of videos with content that could be problematic if viewed in repetition.
- Setting uploads as private by default for anyone.
- Restricting the ability to earn from gifts on vertical live streams.
The system will make use of artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate the age of users, no matter the age that was entered into the account details. YouTube acknowledged this could create problems, but will allow users to contest the AI-estimated age. They can do this by sending the company their government ID, selfie, or a credit card.
Alphabet Stock Movement Today
Alphabet stock was up 0.54% on Wednesday, extending a 4.21% year-to-date increase and a 14.11% 12-month rally. The company’s movement today could also be tied to its promise to follow the EU’s General Purpose AI Code of Practice.
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Turning to Wall Street, the analysts’ consensus rating for Alphabet is Moderate Buy, based on 26 Buy and nine Hold ratings over the past three months. With that comes an average GOOGL stock price target of $214.42, representing a potential 8.91% upside for the shares.
