Google to roll out age assurance in Singapore by early 2026
Google has announced a plan to introduce age assurance solutions across its suite of products in Singapore, with a targeted rollout in the first quarter of 2026. The move aims to create a safer digital environment for children and teenagers amid rising concerns from parents and policymakers about online risks.
A recent survey by the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) highlighted parental worries about potential harms online, including exposure to inappropriate content. The government’s findings have spurred calls for stronger tools and support to help families manage children’s online activities. Google’s upcoming safeguards respond to these concerns by leveraging age estimation technologies to apply protective settings automatically for users under 18.
How the age assurance technology will work
Google describes the system as an enhancement of existing safety measures. The company will use a machine learning model that estimates users’ ages using signals already associated with their accounts. If a user is estimated to be under 18, age-appropriate restrictions will be applied across multiple Google services, including Maps, Play, Search, and YouTube.
Specific protections include:
- Google Maps: The Timeline feature will be disabled for users estimated to be under 18.
- Google Play: Access to apps that are restricted to adults will be limited for minors.
- Search: SafeSearch will be enabled by default for users under 18.
- YouTube: Digital wellbeing reminders—such as take-break prompts and bedtime notices—will be activated, along with adjustments to content recommendations to reduce repetitive viewing.
Google notes that additional safeguards will apply to content recommendations to help minimize exposure to unsuitable material while preserving access to a broad range of information and entertainment.
Notifications, controls, and verification
When the age estimation flags a user as under 18, they will receive an email notification explaining the changed settings and offering instructions for confirming or correcting their age. If an adult is misidentified as a minor, there will be a path to verify age—potentially including government-issued ID or a selfie as part of a verification process.
Google explains that the age estimation model considers various behavioral signals, including search patterns and the kinds of YouTube videos watched. If the estimation is incorrect, users can undergo an additional verification step to confirm their true age.
Minister of State for Digital Development and Information, Madam Rahayu Mahzam, underscored the collaborative approach to online safety, noting that partnerships among government, educators, industry, and families are essential to helping children thrive online.
Industry collaboration and education efforts
Ben King, Managing Director of Google Singapore, emphasized that safeguarding online experiences for kids and teens is a mission-critical priority. The age assurance initiative complements existing tools such as Family Link, supervised YouTube experiences, and Be Internet Awesome resources designed to promote digital literacy and safety skills among families.
Google has also launched related educational efforts ahead of the rollout. The fourth edition of YouTube Creators for Impact in Singapore features six young creators who will address issues like cyberbullying and online harassment, demonstrating the company’s broader commitment to safety education alongside technical safeguards.
What this means for families in Singapore
As regulators and technology platforms increasingly focus on child safety online, Singapore’s approach reflects a broader trend toward automatic, age-appropriate protections. For parents, the combination of automatic safeguards and transparent age verification options offers a clearer path to managing children’s digital experiences while preserving access to valuable tools and information.
Google’s age assurance strategy, together with ongoing parental controls and digital literacy resources, signals a shared responsibility among tech companies, governments, and communities to keep young users safe while enabling them to explore and learn online.
