Instagram is now testing artificial intelligence to catch teens who lie about their age. Meta, the parent company of Instagram, announced that their system will now proactively look for accounts that may have given a false birthdate during signup.
What Happens If Instagram Finds a Fake Age?
If the AI finds an account where the user is pretending to be older, it will automatically be converted into a teen account. Teen accounts come with stricter rules to help keep young users safe. These accounts are private by default and limit who can send direct messages.
Safer Experience for Teen Users
For teen users, Instagram has some unique features:
- Private messages only allowed from followers or known connections
- Limited exposure to sensitive content like fight videos or cosmetic surgery ads
- Notifications if the teen uses the app for over 60 minutes
- A “sleep mode” that turns off alerts and sends automatic replies from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.
How Instagram’s AI Figures Out a User’s Age
Meta explained that the AI is trained to identify signs of age misrepresentation. It looks at things like the account’s activity, profile details, and when it was created. This helps the AI guess if the person behind the account is likely a teenager.
Extra Steps to Help Parents and Teens
Instagram will also notify parents with tips on how to talk to their kids about giving the right age online. This is part of a broader push to improve digital safety for younger users.
Growing Pressure on Social Media Platforms
Social media platforms, including Instagram, are under pressure to protect young users. Lawmakers are introducing age verification rules, though some have faced legal challenges. Meta and other companies believe that app stores should help verify user ages.
A Bigger Focus on Teen Protection
This AI-based effort is just one of several updates aimed at making Instagram a safer space for teens. It reflects growing concern over how social media affects mental health, especially for younger audiences.
