META
Instagram’s fake birthday era may be ending
Meta is expanding its AI age-checking tools across Instagram and Facebook to find users who may be under 13, or teens pretending to be adults.
The company says it will scan profiles for clues like birthday posts, school references, captions, comments, bios, and other activity.
In some countries, it will also use visual analysis to look at general age signals in photos and videos.
Meta says this is not facial recognition and does not identify the person.
In brief:
Meta is using AI to spot underage users and teens using adult birthdays.
Teen safety settings are expanding across more countries and platforms.
Meta wants app stores to help verify age across apps.
Parents got homework
If Meta thinks an account belongs to someone under 13, it may deactivate it until the user proves their age.
Meta is also expanding Teen Account protections, which limit who can contact teens and what content they see.
These protections are coming to Instagram in the EU and Brazil, and Facebook in the US, with the UK and EU rollout for Facebook planned for June.
The company is also sending parents tips on how to check their teen’s age on Facebook and Instagram, and how to talk to them about being honest online.
Imagine Facebook thinking you’re under 13 because of a cringe post you made - MV