Meta is expanding its age-verification tools by using AI to detect teenaged users and automatically placing them into more restrictive Teen Account settings, even if the user entered an adult birthday. The company acknowledged that the system may make mistakes, and users will have the ability to adjust their settings back if needed. This move is part of a broader effort by Meta and other social media platforms to better protect young users amid growing pressure from parents and lawmakers who argue that tech companies are not doing enough to safeguard the safety and mental health of teens.
Instagram Teen Accounts, which launched last year, include built-in protections that limit who can contact teens, what content they can see, and how long they can spend on the platform. The company automatically enabled these safety features for all teen users last year, requiring parental or guardian approval for anyone under 16 to make changes. About 97% of users under 16 keep these protections in place, and the Teen Account experience has been extended to Facebook and Messenger. Meta will begin sending notifications to Instagram parents with information about why it’s important to talk with their teens about providing accurate age information online.
Meta stated that understanding the age of people online is an industry-wide challenge and that they will continue their efforts to ensure teens are placed in age-appropriate online experiences, like Teen Accounts. However, some experts, like Devorah Heitner, author of Growing Up in Public, have expressed concerns about the privacy implications of using AI for age verification. Heitner believes that for AI to effectively determine user age, it would need to know more than it should, especially for newer users with limited digital footprints. She advocates for social apps to do more to protect all users from invasive algorithms and harassment rather than focusing solely on age-gating.
While some organizations have applauded Meta’s efforts to protect young users through age verification methods, others have raised concerns about potential privacy issues. Meta’s use of AI to detect teenaged users and place them in Teen Account settings raises questions about the access to user data and the potential for misuse. It is important for tech companies to balance the need for safety and protection of young users with respect for privacy rights. Additionally, there is a need for more transparency and accountability in how these age-verification tools are implemented and how user data is handled.
Overall, Meta’s decision to expand its age-verification tools using AI reflects the company’s commitment to protecting young users on its platforms. By proactively identifying teen accounts and placing them in more restrictive settings, Meta aims to create a safer online environment for teenagers. However, concerns about privacy and the potential for misuse of user data highlight the need for continued scrutiny and oversight of these measures. Moving forward, it will be important for Meta and other tech companies to address these issues and ensure that their age-verification methods prioritize user privacy and data security while still effectively protecting young users.
