Instagram expands AI-based age detection worldwide
Meta is rolling out its technology for spotting teenagers on Instagram who gave a false age to users around the world. Such accounts will be moved automatically into more restrictive Teen Accounts.
Meta, the technology company that owns the social network Instagram, is expanding its AI-based age estimation system globally. The tool looks for users who have not given their correct age and automatically moves minors into Teen Accounts with extra protections. According to Meta's announcement, this will cover millions more teenagers. The system was introduced last year in the US, the European Union and Brazil.
How the system works
The tools proactively search for signals suggesting that a user is under 18. They consider which profiles and types of content the person interacts with, what birthday messages they receive, and the general themes and visual cues in uploaded photos and videos, including height and bone structure. In Australia, Meta has also started using Apple's age-range signal as an additional input.
Users believed to be under 13, the minimum age for Meta accounts, are removed from the platform. Users aged 13 to 17 are automatically placed into Teen Accounts, even if they signed up with a fake adult birthday.
Teen Account restrictions
Teen Accounts are private by default, limit the kinds of content teens can see and prevent strangers from sending them direct messages. Parents or guardians can choose to supervise an account, set time limits and monitor how their child uses Instagram. Users aged 16 or younger cannot change these settings without a parent's or guardian's permission. Next month, parents in the US will begin receiving an Instagram notification explaining the age estimation process and how to make sure their teen's age is shown correctly.
Background
The expansion follows a $17.1 billion lawsuit settlement in August, in which Meta agreed to strengthen its age assurance practices and impose heavier restrictions on teen users. Meta has not said whether or when automatic age checks on Facebook, rolled out to US accounts in May, will be extended to other regions.
