Age assurance has quickly become one of the most discussed topics in trust and safety within digital platforms. Recent regulations—such as Florida’s ban on minors’ social media use and new rules in the UK and Australia—have further fueled the debate.

At Yubo, age assurance has been central to our platform since 2019. Two years ago, we became the first major social platform to age-verify 100% of our users, setting a new industry standard.

As our Gen Z audience has grown older, the benefits of age assurance have only increased. Today, over 70% of Yubo users are between 18 and 25, showing how age verification has helped us adapt to our users’ evolving needs.

Age assurance is not just about enhancing safety; it’s also a powerful tool for building trust among users. This trust, often a secondary benefit of safety measures, has proven to be a game-changer.

In a recent survey of over 10,000 users, 79% said they feel safer on Yubo compared to other platforms due to our verification system. More than 60% reported that age verification positively impacted their experience, and 53% expressed increased trust in interacting with real people.

Setting New Standards with Innovation

Yubo is leading the way in social discovery, allowing users to connect based on shared interests rather than likes or followers. From the start, we’ve understood that growth and safety must go hand in hand.

Our comprehensive trust and safety system blends advanced technology with human oversight. At the heart of this system is our age assurance protocol, which we fully implemented in 2022 through a partnership with Yoti, a leading digital ID provider.

The process is simple but effective: users enter their birthdate and take a “live selfie” in the app. Yoti’s facial age estimation technology compares this photo with the entered birthdate, delivering results in seconds. Around 87% of users verify successfully on their first attempt, with alternative methods available for those who need them.

The Competitive Advantage of Trust

For social startups competing with established platforms, safety innovation offers a clear edge. Age verification, in particular, delivers two key benefits: it minimizes risks while providing tangible value to users.

Since 2022, nearly half of Yubo’s active users have reported seeing fewer bots—a common problem on many platforms. By blocking ineligible or fraudulent accounts, verification reduces moderation costs and enhances the quality of user interactions.

Future-Proofing Your Platform

As the regulatory landscape around online safety becomes more complex, startups that invest in trust and safety from the start will have a significant advantage over those scrambling to implement solutions under pressure.

Our experience shows that age assurance encourages authentic engagement across all user groups. This has helped Yubo maintain a mature and loyal user base, with over 70% of users now between 18 and 25.

The Bottom Line for Startups

For startup founders, the message is clear: investing in age assurance is no longer optional—it’s a strategic necessity. Platforms that prioritize user safety through proactive innovation will build stronger communities, improve user experience, reduce risks, and stay ahead of regulatory changes.

If you’re considering this journey, here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Layer your approach: Combine automated systems with human oversight for maximum effectiveness.
• Stay ahead of regulations: Lead the way in safety standards through collaboration and best practices.
• Measure trust as a growth metric: Age assurance boosts brand loyalty and retention.
• Iterate continuously: Refine your systems regularly to stay ahead of new challenges.

For investors, trust and safety infrastructure should be a top consideration. Companies that excel in safety innovation demonstrate forward-thinking leadership and sustainable growth potential.

In a digital world where trust is essential, safety innovation is one of the smartest investments any social platform can make. The question isn’t whether you can afford to implement age assurance—it’s whether you can afford not to.