Instagram AI Can Identify Teens Hiding Their Age

Meta is expanding its AI-powered age detection technology across Instagram worldwide. The system is designed to identify teenage users even when they enter an adult birth date, helping place them under Instagram's Teen Account safety protections.

In this video, we explore how the technology works and what it means for Instagram users:

• AI-Based Age Estimation: Meta's technology analyzes profile information, posts, comments, captions, and other account activity to estimate a user's age.
• Visual Clues: The system may also examine photos and videos for visible characteristics, including height and bone structure, as part of its age assessment.
• Teen Account Protections: Teen Accounts include stricter messaging restrictions, hidden harmful comments, and private-by-default settings.
• Expansion Beyond Instagram: Meta is also working to introduce the technology on Facebook, with plans to bring it to Threads worldwide later this year.
• Child Safety Measures: Meta says it is investing in improved technology to identify accounts belonging to children under 13 and teenagers who may have entered an incorrect adult birth date.

The expansion comes as Meta faces legal challenges concerning child and teen safety on its platforms. The company says its age-detection efforts are intended to help ensure younger users receive protections appropriate to their age.