TikTok will roll out enhanced age-detection technology across Europe in the coming weeks, following a year-long pilot program that removed thousands of underage accounts.

According to the company’s announcement, the system analyzes profile information, posted videos, and behavioral signals to predict whether an account belongs to a user under age 13, TikTok’s minimum age requirement. 

Accounts flagged by the technology will be reviewed by specialist moderators before potential removal, rather than being automatically banned.

Multi-Layered Detection Approach

TikTok reports removing approximately 6 million underage accounts globally each month through its existing age-verification measures. The platform requires users to provide their birthdate during account creation through a neutral age-gating process that doesn’t hint toward entering specific ages.

The new technology represents an additional layer in TikTok’s detection system. “By integrating data protection principles into the design phase of technology from the beginning, it ensures that the prediction of the likelihood that someone is under the age of 13 is not used for purposes other than to decide whether to send an account to human moderators and to monitor and improve the technology,” TikTok stated in its announcement.

The platform examines information account holders provide about themselves, including profile details and published videos, alongside other on-platform behavior patterns.

Appeal Process and Verification Options

Users whose accounts are removed can appeal the decision through multiple verification methods. TikTok offers facial age estimation provided by digital identity platform Yoti, credit card authorization, or government-approved identification as options during the appeal process.

The Guardian reports that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, also uses Yoti to verify users’ ages on Facebook.

Regulatory Context

TikTok developed the system to comply with EU regulatory requirements and consulted with Ireland’s Data Protection Commission, its lead EU privacy regulator, throughout the development process. The rollout covers the European Economic Area, Switzerland, and the UK.

The deployment comes as multiple countries consider stricter age restrictions for social media platforms. Australia implemented a social media ban for users under 16 in December 2025. The country’s eSafety commissioner revealed that more than 4.7 million accounts were removed across 10 platforms – including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, Snap, and Facebook – since the ban took effect in December.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer told MPs he was open to a social media ban for young people after becoming concerned about screen time among children and teenagers, The Guardian reports. The European Parliament is pushing for age limits on social media, while Denmark wants to ban social media for users under 15.

Teen Safety Features

TikTok’s platform includes more than 50 preset safety, privacy, and security features for teen accounts. Users must be at least 16 to access direct messaging. Accounts belonging to users under 18 have a 60-minute screen time limit set by default and don’t receive notifications after bedtime.

The platform also uses technology to predict whether users fall within specific age ranges, such as 13-15. When estimates don’t match the birthdate provided at signup, moderators can review the account and adjust the user’s age experience accordingly.

TikTok told Reuters the new technology was built specifically to comply with EU regulatory requirements.

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