Instagram will use AI to identify teenagers who are hiding their age

Instagram✴ is introducing a new artificial intelligence-based system that will be able to identify teenagers who are trying to hide their real age. The algorithm will analyze photos, subscriptions and posts of friends to determine the real age of the user.

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According to Bloomberg, this decision is due to pressure from parents and legislators concerned about the impact of the platform on the mental health of teenagers. Using a new AI tool called the Adult classifier, Meta✴ will automatically switch users under 18 to accounts with stricter privacy settings, regardless of what information they provided when registering.

Previously, Meta✴ had already started transferring users to teenage accounts based on their stated age. However, a new algorithm, which will be launched early next year, is designed to identify those who are trying to circumvent the rules. At the same time, users aged 16 and 17 years will be able to change their privacy settings independently, but for teenagers under 16 years of age, parental consent will be required to disable various types of restrictions. The decision was welcomed by outside experts, who have long called for the company to make more significant changes to protect younger users.

In recent years, Meta✴ has faced numerous accusations that all of its platforms are contributing to the deterioration of mental health among teenagers. In particular, dozens of attorneys general in different US states filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging that Meta✴ deliberately “hooked” children on its services, which led to a mental health crisis among teenagers. The company has also come under fire from parents who claim their children have died from drugs or committed suicide because of content they saw or conversations they had using Meta✴ products. Also in 2021, former company employee Frances Haugen disclosed internal documents that showed that Instagram✴ can negatively affect the psyche of teenage girls.

Due to such a serious set of claims, Meta✴ decided to complicate the process of determining age when indicating it. For example, a match will be made between the email or unique identifier of the device from which the teenager tries to create a new account. To confirm age, you will also have to provide official documents or undergo verification through a video selfie using the Yoti application, a tool for digital identification of a person by photo. In case of an error, it will be possible to file an appeal, however, this possibility is still under development.