Meta Platforms has announced the global expansion of its AI-powered age-estimation technology to identify teenagers who provide false dates of birth on its platforms. This technology will automatically enrol them in age-appropriate account protections, initially covering millions of additional teenagers on Instagram. The move aims to strengthen online safety and limit young users' exposure to inappropriate content, unwanted interactions, and excessive time on social media.
The AI-powered technology helps identify users suspected to be between 13 and 17 years old, even when their account information indicates that they are adults. Meta's Teen Accounts feature, available on Instagram, Facebook, and Messenger, provides built-in safeguards that restrict who can contact teenagers, the content they can access, and the amount of time they spend on the platforms. These protections include default private account settings, restrictions on direct messages from people teenagers do not follow or already know, limitations on sensitive content, and reminders encouraging users to take breaks from the platforms.
Meta disclosed that the global expansion followed encouraging results from its earlier deployment of the technology, which has helped place more teenagers in age-appropriate digital environments despite attempts to circumvent age restrictions. The company explained that determining users' actual ages remained a major challenge for social media platforms, as some teenagers deliberately provide older dates of birth to access features and experiences intended for adults.
To address this challenge, Meta has been investing in AI systems capable of examining account information and activities for indicators that suggest a user may be underage. The technology examines clues across profiles, posts, comments, biographies, and captions, including references to school grades and birthday celebrations. It also uses visual indicators in photographs and videos to estimate a person's general age.
Meta clarified that this process does not involve facial recognition or identifying individuals in images. The company said it was continuing to extend the technology to Facebook, while a similar global rollout on Threads, its text-based social networking platform, is expected to begin later this year. This expansion aims to provide a safer online environment for teenagers.
In addition to the technology expansion, Meta will begin providing notifications to parents in the United States on Instagram, explaining how the company determines whether teenagers are placed in age-appropriate accounts and how families can help ensure that users' ages are correctly represented. In Australia, the company has started using Apple's age-range signal as an additional method of determining users' ages.
The latest development comes amid growing international scrutiny of social media companies over children's online safety and exposure to harmful content. Meta's efforts to address these concerns include collaborations with experts, policymakers, and other stakeholders to ensure that its platforms provide a safe and secure environment for users of all ages.
Key points
- Meta expands AI-powered age estimation to protect underage users on its platforms.
- The technology aims to limit exposure to inappropriate content and interactions.
- Meta continues to invest in AI systems to improve age estimation and online safety.
