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Meta is expanding its AI-powered age estimation technology to Instagram users worldwide to identify teenagers who register with incorrect birth dates. The system will automatically move suspected users aged 13 to 17 into Instagram Teen Accounts, even when their profiles list adult ages.
Meta also aims to detect children under 13 and prevent them from accessing its platforms. The expansion follows earlier testing and forms part of the company's broader efforts to strengthen online safety.
Meta first announced plans to use artificial intelligence for age checks in May 2026. Since then, the company says it has recorded encouraging results, prompting a wider rollout across Instagram.
The technology aims to identify users who bypass age requirements during registration. It also helps Meta apply suitable account settings without relying solely on the birth dates users provide.
Instagram Teen Accounts come with restrictions that limit who can contact young users. They also provide age-appropriate content recommendations and default settings that help teenagers manage their time online.
These protections aim to reduce unwanted contact and limit exposure to potentially harmful material. Meta applies them to accounts that its technology identifies as belonging to teenagers.
But how does Meta identify teenagers who register using adult birth dates?
The company examines profile information for clues that may reveal a user's actual age. Its AI systems look for references to birthday celebrations, school grades and other details that suggest someone is underage.
Meta gathers these signals from several parts of a profile, including posts, comments, biographies and captions. The technology also examines photos and videos for visual clues, including height and bone structure.
By examining information across different formats, the company seeks to identify teenagers whose stated ages do not match their profiles. Those accounts can then receive age-appropriate restrictions.
Alongside the worldwide expansion, Meta plans to introduce an Instagram awareness video for parents in the United States later this month. The video will appear directly in their feeds.
It will explain how Meta estimates users' ages and applies safeguards to teenage accounts. The campaign will also encourage parents to ensure their children provide accurate birth dates when registering.
Parents will receive a link to an article by Larry Magid, an internet safety advocate and CEO of ConnectSafely. His article explains Meta's approach to age assurance.
It also covers measures designed to keep children under 13 off Meta's platforms while offering suitable experiences for older teenagers. Meta wants families to take part in this process.
Meanwhile, the company plans to introduce similar age checks across its other social media services. Facebook is already receiving the technology, while Threads is scheduled for a global rollout later in 2026.
Read More: Meta Expands AI Age Detection as Teen-Safety Pressure Mounts
The expansion follows settlements Meta reached with nearly every US state and territory in August. The agreements, worth up to $18 billion, addressed lawsuits alleging that its platforms harmed teenagers.
Under those agreements, Meta committed to improving how it detects children under 13 and teenagers aged 13 to 17. The company reached an agreement with 52 bipartisan attorneys general.
Meta said it would invest in stronger detection systems to identify underage accounts. The company also committed to improving protections for teenagers who register with adult birth dates.
Beyond the settlements, Meta has raised concerns about differences in online safety laws worldwide. Some countries require extensive identity checks, while others provide limited guidance on determining users' ages.
The company argues that certain approaches could require platforms to collect sensitive information, including government identification documents. It supports age assurance methods that reduce unnecessary data collection while identifying younger users.
Meta also maintains that inconsistent age verification practices across technology companies can leave teenagers with different levels of protection between platforms.
Meta's global AI age estimation rollout will help identify teenagers who use incorrect birth dates and apply Instagram Teen Account protections. The company is also expanding these measures to Facebook and Threads while informing parents about age checks. The changes follow major US settlements and growing pressure to improve online child safety.