Meta expands AI age estimation to Instagram and Facebook globally

Automated teen detection

Meta announced on November 9 that it is expanding its AI age-estimation technology to Instagram users worldwide. The system is designed to identify accounts that Meta suspects belong to teenagers, even in cases where the user has provided a birthdate indicating they are an adult.

Once the AI flags an account as likely belonging to a teen, the platform moves that user into a Teen Account. These specialized accounts automatically apply specific protections, such as limiting who can contact the user, restricting the types of content they see, and capping the amount of time they spend on the app.

The company began testing this technology in April 2025 and reported being encouraged by the initial results. With this global expansion, Meta expects millions more teenagers to receive these automated protections across its various platforms.

Multi-layered verification methods

While AI estimation is a primary tool, Meta is employing other methods to verify user ages. In Australia, the company is utilizing an age signal from Apple. This allows parents to have the app store confirm a child's age range when setting up a phone, which is then passed to developers during app downloads.

Meta intends to use its own AI as a backstop to correct mistakes in these signals. The company argues that a verified signal from a device, shared consistently across all apps, is more privacy-preserving than every platform trying to verify age individually. This model would feed corrections back to the app store for use across all apps a teen might use.

The company is also developing stronger technology to identify accounts belonging to children under 13. Because children under this age are not allowed on Meta's platforms, the company is prioritizing the detection of these specific accounts to ensure compliance with its existing policies.

Advocacy for app store laws

Meta is actively pushing for legislation that makes app store age verification mandatory. The company has supported these requirements since November 2023, arguing that a single verified signal from a device is the most effective way to protect minors. They have called on competitors like TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar practices to ensure consistent protection.

The company noted that many current laws are inconsistent, with some requiring invasive checks for everyone while others provide no guidance at all. They argue that unless all companies follow a unified standard, teenagers will remain inconsistently protected online, which defeats the purpose of the regulations.

This push follows the passage of a law in Texas that requires app stores to verify every user's age and obtain parental approval for downloads by those under 18. The US Supreme Court recently allowed the state to enforce this law, providing a legal precedent for Meta's desired approach.

Regulatory hurdles in India

The global rollout presents unique challenges in India, where rules regarding children's accounts are currently undergoing changes. The Indian government has proposed amending IT Rules to bar users under 18 from opening social media accounts entirely. This could force Meta to use its AI to remove teens from Instagram in India rather than just placing them in Teen Accounts.

Furthermore, India's Digital Personal Data Protection Act treats everyone under 18 as a child. Starting in May 2027, platforms will be required to obtain verifiable parental consent before processing children's data. Meta has not yet clarified how it will meet this specific requirement for its Teen Accounts in the region.

There are also concerns regarding behavioral monitoring, which the Indian Act prohibits for children. While the rules exempt processing done to confirm a user is not a child, it is unclear if Meta's AI-driven flagging system falls under that exemption. This remains a point of scrutiny following a report where Instagram scored 100% non-compliance regarding children's data violations.

Next steps for parents

To help parents navigate these changes, Meta is beginning a notification rollout in the United States this month. These notifications will explain how the company places teens into age-appropriate protections and provide guidance on how parents can ensure their child's age information is accurate.

The notifications will link to an article by Larry Magid, the CEO of the online safety non-profit ConnectSafely. This content is intended to help parents understand Meta's approach to age assurance and the tools available to them. The move is part of a broader agreement with 52 attorneys general to better identify teens and children on Meta's apps.

Looking forward, Meta plans to launch its age-estimation technology on Threads later this year. The company will continue to advocate for a system where app stores take the lead on verification, while Meta's AI serves as a supporting tool to maintain safety standards across the internet.