Instagram tests AI to detect teen users posing as adults

Instagram is rolling out AI-powered age verification tools to proactively identify users who may have misrepresented their age, addressing growing concerns about teen safety on social media platforms. This significant shift moves beyond relying solely on self-reported birthdates, instead using artificial intelligence to analyze user behavior patterns and automatically implement protective features for detected teen accounts. The technology represents Meta’s response to intensifying regulatory scrutiny and public pressure to better safeguard young users from potential mental health impacts.

How it works: Instagram will use AI to identify accounts it believes belong to teenagers, even when users have entered false birthdates during signup.

• Meta trains its AI systems to detect age by analyzing interaction patterns, profile information, and account creation dates.
• When the system determines a user has misrepresented their age, it will automatically convert the account to a teen account with enhanced restrictions.

Key features of teen accounts: Accounts identified as belonging to teenagers will receive multiple protective guardrails designed to limit potential harms.

• These accounts become private by default and restrict private messages to people the user follows or is already connected with.
• The system limits exposure to “sensitive content” such as fighting videos or cosmetic procedure promotions.
• Teen accounts receive notifications after 60 minutes of continuous Instagram use and implement a “sleep mode” that disables notifications between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.

Why this matters: Meta’s proactive approach comes amid growing concerns about social media’s impact on adolescent well-being and mental health.

• Multiple states are actively working to implement age verification requirements for social platforms.
• The company will also send notifications to parents highlighting the importance of providing accurate age information online.