Instagram Boosts Teen Safety with Enhanced AI and Parental Tools
Instagram is expanding its AI-powered age verification process to ensure more teenagers use its safety features. The platform is also introducing new notifications for parents to help them discuss online risks with their teens. These updates come amid growing discussions around stricter social media age limits.
Advanced AI Age Detection
Instagram has been steadily improving its age-checking systems over the past few years. The enhanced AI now considers more factors to better assess a user's age. The system analyzes profile information, interactions with other profiles and content, and engagement trends. This includes likes, shares, direct messages, watch time, and followed profiles.
Meta, Instagram's parent company, explained that their AI model is trained on these signals to determine whether a user is an adult or a teen. The system also uses location-specific data to account for local trends.
This pattern recognition technology aims to identify underage users who misrepresent their age. The effectiveness of this expanded rollout remains to be seen, but it could be crucial in preventing teens from being forced off the platform due to stricter age regulations.
New Parental Notifications
Instagram is also rolling out new alerts for parents about teen safety features and resources for discussing online safety with their children. This initiative aims to keep parents informed and encourage regular communication with their teens about online risks.
Teen Accounts and Future Implications
Instagram reports significant success with its Teen Accounts feature, designed to provide age-appropriate experiences. The company states that at least 54 million teens globally have enrolled, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 choosing to remain in these protected accounts. The experience has also expanded to Facebook and Messenger.
While Instagram continues to develop its own age verification methods, including video selfie checks in some regions, Meta maintains that age verification should ideally be handled at the app store level. This stance is gaining traction with some U.S. regulators. However, app stores are resisting becoming the sole enforcers of age limits.
With increasing pressure from governments worldwide considering stricter social media age restrictions, these new measures are crucial for Meta. Enhanced AI age verification and parental controls could help the company avoid potential fines and ensure teens can continue using its platforms safely.
