Instagram is implementing new artificial intelligence tools to identify and verify users’ ages, particularly targeting teens who falsely claim to be adults on the platform. The Meta-owned social network announced it will use AI technology to analyze various signals that might indicate if a user is a teen or an adult, including birthday celebration posts, ‘happy birthday’ messages from friends, and age-specific slang usage. This initiative is part of Meta’s broader efforts to protect young users and comply with online safety regulations. The AI system will flag accounts showing signs of being operated by users under 18 who registered as adults, prompting them to verify their age through methods like submitting ID documents or video selfies. Meta is also expanding its age verification tools to more countries and implementing additional safety features for teen users, such as defaulting new teen accounts to private settings and restricting direct messages from unknown adults. The company emphasized that this technology will help create age-appropriate experiences while maintaining user privacy. These measures come amid increasing regulatory scrutiny and public concern about social media’s impact on young users’ well-being. The AI-powered age detection system is being rolled out gradually and represents a significant step in Meta’s commitment to developing more sophisticated safety measures for its younger user base.
Source: https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/instagram-ai-determine-teens-pretending-adults-121004766