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Instagram is enhancing its Teen Accounts feature, initially launched in 2024, with the introduction of advanced technology and initiatives aimed at engaging parents. On Monday, the Meta-managed platform revealed that it is experimenting with AI-driven age detection methods to identify users who might be teenagers but have provided an adult birthdate. The intent is to categorize these individuals under Teen Accounts, thereby safeguarding them from potential harassment and abuse online. Additionally, Instagram plans to notify parents about the opportunity to review their teen’s recorded age on the platform.
Instagram to Proactively Identify Teenagers on Its Platform
In a recent blog entry, Instagram disclosed its trial efforts with AI technologies designed to pinpoint teenage users. This initiative is consistent with the company’s earlier commitments when it first launched Teen Accounts, where it indicated the use of algorithms to find indicators of teenagers masquerading as adults.
Key markers include user interactions, as teenagers generally engage more with peers their own age, alongside other clues such as a teenage user receiving birthday wishes that do not align with their stated age. The AI tools are currently being trialed within the United States.
Although Instagram did not specify its methods for employing AI in age detection, it noted its longstanding use of these technologies to gauge the age demographic of its users, primarily for the purpose of customizing the platform experience and ensuring that advertisements are age-appropriate.
Instagram acknowledges that applying this technology in this context is a novel approach for the platform, which carries the risk of misidentifying users. To address this concern, users will have the option to adjust their settings if they believe they have been incorrectly classified as teenagers. However, this raises questions about the reliability of the detection process, particularly since users who may be teenagers pretending to be older might resist being categorized under Teen Accounts.
At present, users who seek to modify their age from under 18 to 18 and above must undergo multiple verification steps, which can include submitting a video selfie, providing an identification card, or obtaining confirmation from other users about their age. It remains unclear if accounts suspected to be teenagers will need to fulfill similar verification requirements.
Moreover, Instagram is also reaching out to parents, offering guidance on how to engage in meaningful conversations with their teenagers about accurately reporting their age on social media platforms. This initiative has been developed with insights from pediatric psychologists to foster effective communication in digital spaces.
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