Faking your age on Instagram? Meta expands AI technology to detect teen accounts
Meta is expanding its AI-powered age detection technology to Instagram users worldwide.
Instagram will automatically apply Teen Account protections to users identified as teenagers.
Meta will also introduce parental safety awareness videos and extend protections to Facebook and Threads.
Meta is expanding its AI-powered age estimation technology to Instagram users worldwide. The new technology will help the tech giant to identify teenagers who may have entered a false date of birth while creating their accounts. Meta says that it wants to ensure that users aged between 13 and 17 receive age-appropriate account protections, even if they claim to be adults online. Not only that, but the company is also working to keep children under 13 off its platforms. Aside from that, Meta has also announced that parents in the United States will start seeing an in-feed video on Instagram this month, explaining the company’s approach to age assurance and how families can help keep teenagers safer online.
Meta expands AI age estimation worldwide
Meta has recently confirmed that its AI age estimation will roll out globally. The expansion comes as the company faces lawsuits alleging its platforms harm young users. The tech giant announced an expanded version of its AI-powered age estimation back in May, building on AI age detection it has used since 2024. With the feature, Meta wanted to tackle the issue of teenagers misrepresenting their ages on social media. The company also noted that the new technology would help identify users who are likely to be teenagers, even when their account details suggest they are adults.
With the latest expansion, Instagram will use AI to identify accounts that may belong to teenagers and automatically place them under Teen Account protections. Meta said it has already seen encouraging results since introducing the technology. The company believes expanding it globally will help more teenagers access age-appropriate experiences on the platform.
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Instagram Teen Accounts: What it offers
Instagram Teen Accounts come with several safety features designed to limit unwanted interactions and exposure to unsuitable content. These accounts have age-appropriate content recommendations, restrictions on who can contact teenagers and default time management tools.
However, age verification has not always been straightforward. As a report earlier suggested, a 12-year-old reportedly managed to fool Instagram’s age estimation system by drawing a fake moustache using an eyebrow pencil.
Meta to notify parents
Meta has also confirmed that it will be showing parents in the US an in-feed video this month explaining its approach to identifying teenage users and applying account protections. The video will link to an article by Larry Magid, an internet safety advocate and the president and CEO of ConnectSafely.
The article will explain Meta’s age assurance methods, its approach to keeping children under 13 off its platforms and how parents can help teenagers provide their correct ages online. Meta also says it will roll out the same protections to Facebook and Threads.