diff --git a/lib/pangea/pages/settings_learning/settings_learning.dart b/lib/pangea/pages/settings_learning/settings_learning.dart
index 89f4421f5..2de3893d7 100644
--- a/lib/pangea/pages/settings_learning/settings_learning.dart
+++ b/lib/pangea/pages/settings_learning/settings_learning.dart
@@ -34,7 +34,16 @@ class SettingsLearningController extends State<SettingsLearning> {
   setPublicProfile(bool isPublic) {
     pangeaController.userController.updateProfile(
       (profile) {
-        profile.userSettings.publicProfile = isPublic;
+        // set user DOB to younger that 18 if private and older than 18 if public
+        if (isPublic) {
+          profile.userSettings.dateOfBirth = DateTime.now().subtract(
+            const Duration(days: 18 * 365),
+          );
+        } else {
+          profile.userSettings.dateOfBirth = DateTime.now().subtract(
+            const Duration(days: 17 * 365),
+          );
+        }
         return profile;
       },
     );
@@ -91,7 +100,11 @@ class SettingsLearningController extends State<SettingsLearning> {
   }
 
   bool get publicProfile =>
-      pangeaController.userController.profile.userSettings.publicProfile;
+      pangeaController.userController.profile.userSettings.dateOfBirth
+          ?.isBefore(
+        DateTime.now().subtract(const Duration(days: 18 * 365)),
+      ) ??
+      false;
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {