Meta’s AI now hunts underage Instagram users
Meta is ramping up its AI-driven age detection on Instagram, expanding its use of artificial intelligence to identify underage users and automatically adjust their account settings. The feature, initially announced in 2024, will begin testing in the US starting today.
Instagram’s AI system looks for signals indicating users are under 18, such as congratulatory messages from friends on birthdays or engagement patterns with content. Teen accounts are subject to more restrictive settings by default, including private accounts, limited messaging from strangers, and restricted content. Last year, Instagram automatically enabled these safety features for all teen accounts.
The company will now use AI to identify teen accounts with adult birthdays and adjust their settings accordingly. If the system detects a user is underage despite their account indicating otherwise, it will automatically apply more restrictive teen settings. Instagram acknowledges the possibility of errors and allows users to change their settings back.
Meta has been enhancing its settings to protect teens and kids on the platform in response to concerns from parents and lawmakers. The European Union launched an investigation into Meta’s protection of young users’ health last year, and a US state attorney general filed a lawsuit over predators targeting kids on Instagram. The move is also part of a broader debate among tech companies about who should be responsible for keeping kids safe online.
Image: Instagram
Recently, Google accused Meta of trying to “offload” its responsibility onto app stores following the passage of a bill in Utah. This highlights the ongoing disagreement between tech companies, including Meta, Snap, and X, over their roles in protecting young users.