Meta uses AI to find teens on Instagram in all countries

Meta says it uses AI on Instagram in all countries to find persons it thinks are teens. This includes teens who give an adult birthday. Meta puts them in Teen Accounts, which limit who can contact them and the content they see. Meta says millions more teens get these limits. It gave no numbers or test results.

How it works

The AI finds accounts that seem to be teen accounts, and Meta puts them in Teen Accounts. The rollout continues on Facebook. Meta plans equivalent technology for Threads this year.

In Australia, Meta also uses an age range signal from Apple. A parent sets the age range on the phone. The app store then tells each app the range.

The numbers

Meta says it is “encouraged by the results” of the AI. It gave no error rates and no counts. The move follows an agreement with 52 attorneys general in the US. Meta promised new tools to find children below 13.

What is not known

Meta says the Apple signal is optional for app stores and for developers. It says this gives teens different protection across apps. Meta wants laws that make app stores check age and get consent from parents.

Insight: Meta wants the app store to carry the age check

Meta has an AI age detection tool, but it also backs laws that make app stores check age. Meta says its AI is a backstop for the app store signal. This reads as a move to put the duty on app stores, with Meta tools as auxiliary. Monitor if lawmakers select the app store for age checks. Leaders at apps with teen users can prepare for each case.