Meta is utilizing AI technology to detect teenagers who are dishonest about their age on Instagram to bypass safety measures. When Meta identifies an account suspected to belong to a teen, the platform will transition them to a restricted Teen Account, even if the account claims an adult birthday.
Teen Account Safeguards
Teen Accounts, introduced on Instagram last year, provide young users with an app experience that includes built-in protections. These safeguards are automatically applied to teens, limiting who can contact them on the app and restricting the type of content they can view. Teens under 16 require parental permission to modify these settings.
Ensuring Access via Teen Accounts
Instagram has been utilizing AI to verify age for some time, confirming that it now uses the technology to ensure teens access Instagram through a Teen Account rather than an adult one. The company stated that it uses various methods to identify accounts belonging to teens who input a fake adult birthday, such as detecting happy birthday posts and receiving reports from other users.

Instagram is taking measures to guarantee the accuracy of its technology in placing teens in Teen Accounts. In the event of an error, users have the option to adjust their settings. The company emphasized the importance of collaboration with parents to ensure as many teens as possible benefit from the protective settings of Teen Accounts.
Parental Notifications and Account Verification
Instagram announced plans to send notifications to parents, providing information on discussing the significance of providing the correct age online with their teens. Parents are advised to verify if their teens’ account lists the accurate birthday to ensure they are in protected accounts.
Meta introduced Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger two weeks before this announcement. Globally, at least 54 million teens have been enrolled in Teen Accounts, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 remaining in these protected accounts.
