New Delhi. On the social media platform Instagram, artificial intelligence (AI) will now be used to estimate the age of users. Meta has introduced an AI-based age-detection technology globally for this purpose. The goal of this technology is to identify teenagers who may have entered an age older than their actual age when creating their accounts. Through this, the company aims to provide a safer digital experience for younger users.
According to Meta, this system will not rely solely on the date of birth provided during account creation; instead, it will use various other indicators to determine whether a user is a teenager. In the United States, starting later this month, the company will also inform parents—via in-feed videos—about this technology and the associated safety measures.
Special safety features for ‘teen accounts’
Instagram offers a ‘teen account’ setup for users aged 13 to 17. This includes several restrictions designed to ensure a safer, age-appropriate experience for teenagers:
Control over who can contact them.
Display of age-appropriate content.
Default tools to manage screen time.
Measures to protect younger users from inappropriate content.
Meta’s new technology also aims to identify children under the age of 13, ensuring compliance with the platform’s minimum age requirements. Accounts found to be in violation may be subject to action in accordance with the company’s policies.
Information for parents
Meta is now placing greater emphasis on engaging with parents. In the United States, the company will use in-feed videos to explain how AI identifies teen accounts and the safety measures implemented for them.
The company states that its objective is to keep children under 13 off the platform and to provide teenagers with a safe, age-appropriate experience. Additionally, parents will be encouraged to ensure that the correct date of birth is entered when their children create an account. Use of Apple’s Age-Range Signals in Australia
Meta has also begun using Apple’s age-range signals in Australia. This technology helps determine whether a user meets the age requirements for a given app.
When parents set up a smartphone for their child, they can allow the App Store to verify the user’s age range. Subsequently, when an app is downloaded, information regarding the user’s age can be shared with the app developers.
Meta states that it is working to enhance the online safety of children and teenagers on Instagram through AI-based identification and other technical measures.
