Meta Use AI for age detection, avoid users under 13 years old
AI meta technology to identify underage users
Amid growing concerns over the safety of children on social media, tech giant Meta announced the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to scan photos and videos. The goal is to identify users under 13 years of age based on bone structure and height. This technology will be applied on the Facebook and Instagram platforms.
META states that their AI system does not use facial recognition, but instead looks for common visual patterns such as height and bone structure to estimate a person’s age. “We want to make sure users meet the minimum age requirements on our platform,” Meta wrote in their official blog.
how the ai system works
This visual analysis system works by examining various aspects of the user profile. In addition to the physical structure, AI also analyzes the context in which the user is located. For example, uploading a birthday celebration or a mention of a school-grade level in comments or biodata can be an important clue.
If the system determines a user is a minor, the account will be disabled immediately. However, users still have the opportunity to prove their age through the official verification process so that the account is not permanently deleted.
Expansion of technology to various platforms
This technology expansion plan is not only limited to Facebook and Instagram, but also includes Instagram Live and Facebook Groups features. META hopes to close the gap for children who are trying to manipulate conventional age verification systems.
Earlier, Meta faced criticism from a jury in New Mexico which considered the company to mislead consumers about the security of the platform and putting children at risk. On the other hand, the European Commission also found violations of the Digital Services Act. The initial investigation shows that the minimum age requirement of 13 years is not adequately enforced.
Strengthening child protection in various countries
To respond to the challenge, META expanded Teen Accounts technology to 27 countries in the European Union and Brazil. This feature provides additional protection such as restrictions on incoming messages and private account settings automatically.
In the United States, META began expanding similar technologies to the Facebook platform. This move will be followed by the UK and the European Union in June.
In Indonesia, META also faces pressure from the government to comply with new policies that require to deactivate accounts belonging to users under the age of 16. The regulation is contained in Government Regulation no. 17/2025 concerning Governance for the Implementation of Electronic Systems in Child Protection or PP Tunas.
Challenges and solutions sought
Although investment in age verification technology is constantly being improved, META emphasizes that this challenge cannot be resolved alone. The company urges regulations that require application stores (app stores) to help verify the age of the user.
Data from the Internet Matters shows that 46% of children find the examination of age very easy to trick. Some of the methods used include falsifying dates of birth to manipulating facial photos to make them look older.
Conclusion
With the application of AI technology, META seeks to strengthen the security of their platform and protect children from possible risks. Even so, challenges remain, and long-term solutions require collaboration between companies, governments, and users.
