Meta is implementing artificial-intelligence tools to detect and block accounts belonging to users under the legal age limit on Facebook and Instagram.
This move represents an effort to automate age verification as governments worldwide introduce stricter regulations to protect children from social media exposure. The ability to accurately identify minors without relying solely on self-reported birth dates is a critical hurdle for platforms facing potential legal penalties.
According to reports, Meta aims to block users under 13 years old [1]. The AI system identifies these users by analyzing digital activity and physical traits [2]. Some reports specify that the technology includes the analysis of bone structure to determine age [3].
These measures come as Meta navigates a fragmented global legal landscape. In Australia, the company has begun deleting accounts of users under 16 [4]. This action aligns with Australian law requiring the removal of such accounts, which takes effect on Dec. 10 [4].
However, the effectiveness of these tools is under scrutiny. The European Union has accused Meta of failing to prevent underage users from accessing its platforms [5]. While Meta said it is deploying these tools to comply with emerging regulations and protect children, regulators in some regions argue the company has not yet achieved an effective blockade [2, 5].
Meta's strategy relies on a combination of behavioral patterns, and biometric analysis to flag accounts that do not meet the age threshold. This approach aims to reduce the number of children who bypass age gates by simply entering a false birth year during registration.
“Meta is implementing artificial-intelligence tools to detect and block accounts belonging to users under the legal age limit.”
Meta's shift toward AI-driven age verification highlights the growing tension between platform growth and global child safety laws. By moving away from self-certification and toward biometric or behavioral analysis, Meta is attempting to mitigate legal risks in jurisdictions like Australia and the EU. However, the use of AI to analyze physical traits raises significant privacy concerns and suggests that the industry is moving toward a more intrusive model of identity verification to satisfy regulators.
