Meta Expands AI Age-Estimation Tools to Protect Teenagers

Meta Platforms is expanding its AI-powered age-estimation technology globally to identify teenagers on Instagram who misrepresent their ages. The system analyzes user signals, including content interactions, birthday messages, and visual cues from photos such as height and bone structure, to automatically place users aged 13-17 into restrictive Teen Accounts. These accounts are private by default and limit direct messages from strangers and content visibility.

In Australia, the company has integrated Apple's age-range signal into its detection process. This global rollout follows initial launches in Brazil and the European Union last year. Meta also plans to launch similar technology on Threads later this year and is continuing the rollout on Facebook.

The expansion follows an August settlement of up to $18 billion with nearly every U.S. state and territory to resolve lawsuits alleging the company's platforms harm young users. As part of these efforts, parents in the United States will receive notifications regarding age estimation.