Meta has revealed its plans to utilize artificial intelligence for analyzing visual elements in images and videos to detect individuals who may be under the age of 13 and therefore ineligible for Facebook or Instagram accounts.
The tech giant clarified that their AI system is not based on facial recognition but rather focuses on general visual attributes like height and bone structure to estimate a person’s age without identifying them specifically. This innovative visual analysis tool is currently in operation in select countries and will soon see a wider implementation.
This system functions by integrating visual assessment with text analysis and user interactions, scanning various content formats like posts, comments, bios, and captions for contextual clues such as references to birthdays or school-related topics. Meta intends to extend this technology to other features within its apps, including Instagram Live and Facebook Groups.
In cases where the system flags a user as potentially underage, their account will be deactivated, prompting them to verify their age using Meta’s age verification process to prevent permanent deletion.
In a separate development, Meta disclosed its extension of technology that automatically shifts teenagers to stricter Teen Accounts on Instagram in 27 countries across the European Union and Brazil. These enhanced accounts offer additional protections such as limiting direct messages to individuals the user follows or is connected to, concealing harmful comments, and setting profiles to private by default. The company also revealed plans to introduce Teen Accounts on Facebook in the United States initially, followed by the UK and EU in June.
These announcements follow a recent court ruling in New Mexico where Meta was ordered to pay $375 million in civil penalties for deceptive practices related to platform safety and youth protection. The company is currently grappling with multiple legal challenges from US states concerning child safety measures on its platforms.
