Meta is taking another step in its commitment to improving online safety for young users by ramping up the use of artificial intelligence to detect underage individuals on Instagram. This expansion in AI-driven age detection aims to create a safer online environment by automatically changing account settings for users suspected to be under 18, adding an extra layer of protection for teenagers navigating the platform.
The company initially introduced AI age detection on Instagram in 2024, using signals to identify underage users. One of the most telling indicators, according to Meta, is when friends wish someone a “happy 16th birthday” in messages. However, Meta’s AI system goes beyond birthday wishes—it also analyzes engagement data. People in the same age group tend to interact with content similarly, and Instagram’s AI looks for these patterns to identify teen accounts.
Proactive Measures: AI Automatically Changes Settings for Suspected Teen Accounts
Instagram’s new AI-driven initiative takes things a step further. The platform will now proactively detect teen accounts by cross-referencing user birthdays with data from its age detection system. If the AI identifies an account with an adult birthday but suspects it belongs to a child, it will automatically apply more restrictive settings, regardless of what the user’s profile indicates.
The platform’s default settings for teen accounts are already quite stringent. By default, teen accounts are private, preventing strangers from sending them direct messages. Additionally, Instagram restricts the type of content shown to teens, ensuring they’re exposed to age-appropriate material. This is part of Instagram’s ongoing effort to create a safer environment for younger users.
“We want to ensure that the settings for teen users are automatically as safe as possible,” said a Meta spokesperson in a recent blog post, announcing the feature. While this move is expected to provide added safety, Meta also acknowledged the potential for errors in AI’s detection system. In the event of a mistake, users will have the option to change their settings back.
Meta’s Commitment to Teen Protection Amid Growing Scrutiny
The expansion of AI age detection on Instagram comes after increasing pressure on Meta from parents, lawmakers, and advocacy groups to do more to protect kids and teens online. Last year, the European Union launched an investigation into whether Meta was doing enough to safeguard the health of young users. The investigation followed troubling reports of predators using Instagram to target children, which led to a lawsuit by a U.S. state attorney general.
Meta’s decision to bolster its AI-based safety measures also comes in the wake of a larger conversation about tech companies’ responsibility in protecting children online. There has been notable disagreement between tech giants such as Google, Meta, Snap, and X regarding who should bear the responsibility for keeping kids safe. Just this past March, Google accused Meta of attempting to shift the burden of responsibility onto app stores, following the passage of a bill in Utah that holds tech companies accountable for underage users on their platforms.
Will AI-Driven Safety Features Be Enough to Address Concerns?
As Meta rolls out its more proactive AI age detection measures on Instagram, the question remains: will these changes be enough to reassure concerned parents and lawmakers? While the company is making strides to enhance teen safety, the use of AI in this context brings up important questions about privacy and accuracy. AI errors are a valid concern, and while Meta has provided a way for users to reverse any unwanted settings, it’s unclear whether these safeguards will be enough to address the broader issues of online safety for teens.
Meta’s efforts are certainly a step in the right direction, but the tech industry’s responsibility to protect young users remains a hotly debated topic. With increasing scrutiny from governments and advocacy groups, it’s likely that we’ll see more tech companies adopting similar AI-driven safety features to stay ahead of the curve and avoid legal repercussions.
In conclusion, Meta’s push to ramp up AI-driven age detection on Instagram signals a commitment to improving online safety for teens. While it’s clear that the company is taking significant steps toward creating a more secure platform, the ongoing challenges around privacy, accuracy, and the role of tech companies in safeguarding young users will continue to fuel debates in the years to come.
