Instagram’s AI age detection is expanding globally
Meta is globally expanding the age estimation technology it uses to find teenagers on Instagram who haven't correctly disclosed their age. The rollout will automatically place "millions more teens on Instagram into Teen Account protections," according to Meta's announcement, after launching the AI-powered age assurance updates in the US, EU, and Brazil last year. The age detection tools proactively look for signals…
Key points
- Meta is expanding its AI age detection for Instagram to find teens who misstated their age.
- Users believed to be under 13 are removed; those 13-17 are placed in Teen Accounts.
- The expansion follows a $17.1 billion lawsuit settlement in August over age assurance practices.
Meta is expanding globally the age estimation technology it uses to identify teenagers on Instagram who have not correctly disclosed their age. The company said the rollout will automatically place "millions more teens on Instagram into Teen Account protections," according to The Verge, after the AI-powered age assurance updates launched in the US, EU and Brazil last year.
The tools look for signals that suggest a user is under 18, including the profiles and content they interact with, birthday messages they receive, and general themes and visual cues from uploaded photos and videos, such as height and bone structure. Meta has also begun using Apple's age-range signal as an additional detection method in Australia.
How the system works
The age assurance system removes Instagram users believed to be under 13, the minimum age for Meta social accounts. Users between 13 and 17 are automatically placed in more restrictive Teen Accounts, even if they signed up with a fake adult birthday.
Teen Accounts are private by default, limit the content teens can see and stop strangers from sending them DMs. Parents and guardians can supervise the accounts to set time limits and monitor use, and users 16 or younger cannot change Teen Account settings without a parent's or guardian's permission.
millions more teens on Instagram into Teen Account protections
— Meta
Parent notices and lawsuit
Meta said parents in the US will start receiving an Instagram notification next month explaining the age estimation process and how to ensure their teen's age is accurately reflected on the platform.
The global expansion follows a $17.1 billion lawsuit settlement in August in which Meta agreed to strengthen its age assurance practices and place heavier restrictions on teen users. Meta has not said if or when automatic age assurance checks on Facebook, rolled out to US accounts in May, will expand to other regions.
