Meta Expands Teen Account Protections Globally on Instagram

Meta is expanding globally the artificial intelligence it uses to detect teenagers who use an adult's birth date, while also planning to bring the system to the Facebook and Threads platforms.

In a statement made by Meta, it was stated that the company utilizes artificial intelligence technology to identify individuals who use an adult's birth date but are suspected of being teenagers. It was stated that this system ensures more teenagers are included in age-appropriate protections and that the technology will be expanded globally. The statement noted that efforts are underway to roll out the technology on Facebook as well, and a similar system will be launched globally on Threads later in the year.

Teen Account protections automatically limit who can communicate with teen users, the content teens can see, and the amount of time they can spend on the platforms. Meta stated that it has reached an agreement with 52 attorneys general to strengthen the detection of teens and children under 13 on its platforms, and that this expansion is based on commitments under that agreement. Furthermore, Meta called on other industry stakeholders, TikTok and YouTube, to implement similar practices to keep teenagers safe.

In October 2023, numerous US states, including California, New York, and Colorado, filed a lawsuit against Meta, alleging that it harms children's mental health. In the lawsuit, which began hearings this August, Meta reached a settlement with the states and agreed to pay approximately $18 billion to fund initiatives aimed at online safety for youth, under the agreement signed with the 52 attorneys general.