Your SUNY Plattsburgh Google account is managed by the university. Google applies additional protections to accounts designated as belonging to users under 18. These protections can limit access to some services and features.
Why am I seeing an age restriction?
Access depends on both Google’s age-based rules and university settings. You may see a message that a service is unavailable, be unable to open a video while signed in, or find that a feature is missing. The exact restrictions vary by service; an age designation does not mean that every Google service is blocked.
Additional Google Services, such as YouTube, have separate access and consent requirements. A university review or consent update does not override a feature’s own age restriction.
Can I still use email and coursework tools?
Google’s age requirements for "Additional Services" does not remove their "Core Services" such as Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Calendar and Meet. These tools remain available.
What if I cannot access something for a class?
Watching a YouTube video
If your instructor asks you to watch a YouTube video, many videos can be viewed without signing in to YouTube or by using a personal Google account. If YouTube automatically uses your signed-in university account, open the link in a different browser where you are not signed in, or in a private/incognito window. Simply opening another regular window in the same browser may still use your university account.
This can help with restrictions associated with your university account, but it does not remove a video's own age restrictions or sign-in requirements. If the video remains unavailable, ask your instructor for an alternative way to access the material.
Uploading a video for an assignment
If an assignment asks you to upload a video, YuJa, SUNY Plattsburgh's video platform, is more appropriate than YouTube. See the YuJa Video Service FAQ for sign-in information, getting-started resources and help.
Still need help?
Tell your instructor and contact the ITS Helpdesk. Your instructor and ITS can help identify an appropriate way to access the material or complete the activity.
Include the following in your request:
- The name of the service or application.
- The link you are trying to open.
- The exact error message, or a screenshot with unrelated personal information removed.
- The course and assignment affected.
- Whether you are signed in with your SUNY Plattsburgh account.
Why can’t I use my university account to sign in to another app?
Some outside applications disallow authentications from users under 18 from signing in with a university Google account. This is separate from access to Google’s own services.
What happens when I turn 18?
SUNY Plattsburgh updates its under-18 account designation through a nightly process based on university student records. Access may not change immediately on your birthday, and university service settings continue to apply after you turn 18.
If an age restriction continues after your eighteenth birthday and the next nightly update, contact the ITS Helpdesk. ITS can check the account designation and direct you to the appropriate office if a student record needs correction.
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