Google to Roll Out Age Assurance Across Products in Singapore to Strengthen Youth Online Safety

Google has announced plans to introduce age assurance solutions across its products in Singapore in the first quarter of 2026, reinforcing its commitment to creating safer online experiences for children and teens.

The initiative was unveiled at the Safer with Google event, attended by Minister of State for Digital Development and Information (MDDI), Madam Rahayu Mahzam. The new measures aim to better distinguish between younger users and adults, enabling Google to deliver more age-appropriate experiences for users under 18.

The move comes amid growing concerns about online safety. A recent MDDI survey highlighted parents’ worries about the risks their children face online, including exposure to inappropriate content, and called for greater support in managing youths’ digital activities.

How Age Assurance Will Work

Google’s age assurance approach combines age estimation technology with age verification options where necessary.

Using machine learning, Google’s age estimation model analyses signals already associated with a user’s account, such as search activity and the types of videos watched on YouTube, to determine whether a user is likely over or under 18. If a user is estimated to be under 18, age-appropriate settings will automatically be applied across various Google services.

These include:

• Google Maps: Disabling the Timeline feature.
• Google Play: Restricting access to apps designated for adults.
• Google Search: Turning on the SafeSearch filter by default.
• YouTube: Activating Digital Wellbeing tools such as “take a break” and bedtime reminders, along with additional safeguards to limit repeated exposure to certain types of content.

Users identified as under 18 will be notified via email and in-product prompts explaining the changes. Adults who are mistakenly classified as minors will have the option to verify their age, including by submitting a government-issued ID or a selfie for confirmation.

Google said this layered approach ensures that adults retain access to information and services while appropriate protections are applied to younger users.

Complementing Existing Family Safety Tools

The new feature builds on Google’s existing family safety ecosystem, which includes:

• Family Link, allowing parents to manage their child’s account and set screen time limits.
• Supervised YouTube experiences, offering content controls and limited features for younger users.
• Be Internet Awesome, a resource hub designed to help parents guide children toward safer and more confident online behaviour.

Expanding Community Awareness Through Creators

In tandem with the rollout, Google is also launching the fourth edition of YouTube Creators for Impact, a programme aimed at raising awareness of online harms and equipping youths with resources to seek support.

This year’s cohort of six “Impact Creators”: Alderic, Avi Dixit, Jamie Lim Yin Yin, Lingyi from Wah!Banana, Mathilda Huang, and Ryan from Overkill Singapore will develop content addressing issues such as cyberbullying and online harassment.

The creators will participate in expert-led workshops and discussion sessions to deepen their understanding of digital risks before producing content designed to educate and empower young audiences.