Meta Enhances Age Verification to Combat Underage Social Media Use
Meta is implementing an AI-based age verification system on Instagram and Facebook to identify and remove accounts of users under the age of 13. This system analyzes images and videos for visual cues such as height and bone structure, alongside contextual indicators like posts and comments, to estimate a user's age. The initiative aims to address the ease with which minors bypass age restrictions on social media platforms. If an account is suspected to be managed by a child under 13, it will be suspended until the user can verify their age. Additionally, Meta plans to expand this technology to detect users aged 13 to 15, automatically assigning them teen accounts with content restrictions and parental controls. Initially launched in 2024 for Instagram users in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK, the system will now extend to Brazil, 27 EU countries, and Facebook users in the US. 
