Meta rolls out automated age checks for teens globally

What the report says

Meta said it will begin using AI-based age-estimation tools globally this month to identify teen users on Instagram and move them into accounts with stronger safety settings, according to Al Jazeera. The company said the system can flag accounts it suspects belong to teenagers even when a user has entered an adult birth date. Meta said the rollout will later expand to Facebook and Threads, and parents in the United States with teen Instagram accounts will be notified about the changes.

The report said the technology has already been tested in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Meta said the aim is to better apply protections such as limits on direct contact, content controls, usage reminders and nighttime restrictions. Teen accounts also face daily time limits and reduced exposure to features that can intensify social comparison.

Al Jazeera linked the move to broader pressure on Meta over the impact of its platforms on children and teenagers. The company has faced lawsuits and regulatory scrutiny in several countries over alleged failures to verify ages and safeguard younger users. In the United States, Meta previously agreed to a multibillion-dollar settlement with state attorneys general and to strengthen teen protections.

The article also noted that Meta is urging other major platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, to adopt similar age-safety measures. The company’s announcement comes as governments and advocacy groups continue debating how best to protect children online while preserving access to social media.