Meta’s AI age-check goes global: Can it protect teens?

The tech giant rolls out age-detection tool for Instagram and Facebook but experts doubt if it can help protect teenagers. Meta has rolled out artificial intelligence (AI)-powered age-estimation technology worldwide in an effort to better detect teenage users who signed up for its social media platforms with an adult’s birth date. Teen Accounts have more restrictions and protections designed to provide a safer user experience.

They keep the account private by default, limit content types, and prevent strangers from sending direct messages (DMs) to teenage account holders. Parents can also supervise Teen Accounts. Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp and Threads, said on Monday that it had started using its AI age-estimation system on Instagram accounts around the world.

“Since first introducing this technology, we’ve been placing more teens in age-appropriate protections and are encouraged by the results. Based on that success, today we’re expanding this technology globally,” the company said.