Meta improves teen Instagram account safety

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Meta is upgrading how it uses AI to identify teens using Instagram, and in some situations, it may now override users’ account settings based on what the AI finds.

In 2024, Instagram introduced a system that uses AI to estimate users’ ages. It looks for clues that someone might be under 18. 

For example, if a user receives a message saying “happy 16th birthday,” or if they interact with content in ways that are typical of teens. 

Instagram gives teen accounts stricter privacy and safety controls by default. 

These include making accounts private, blocking messages from strangers, and limiting the kind of content teens can see. 

Last year, Instagram automatically updated all teen accounts to turn on these safety settings. Now, Meta says it will go a step further. 

It’s testing a new feature in the US that uses AI to find accounts that say the user is an adult, but might actually belong to a teenager. 

If the system suspects this, it will automatically switch the account to teen safety settings, even if the user entered an adult birthday. 

Instagram admits the AI might get it wrong sometimes, so it will allow users to change their settings back if needed.

This move is part of Meta’s broader effort to protect young users, especially after growing pressure from parents, lawmakers, and regulators. 

Last year, the EU started investigating whether Meta was doing enough to protect teens’ mental health. In the US, a state attorney general sued Instagram after reports that predators were targeting kids on the platform. 

Meanwhile, there has been ongoing debate among big tech companies, like Meta, Google, Snapchat, and X (Twitter), over who is responsible for online safety. 

For example, Google recently accused Meta of trying to shift its responsibilities to app stores after a new law was passed in Utah.

What do you think about this change from Instagram? Do you think it will make the platform safer for younger users? Tell us your takes below in the comments, or reach out to us via our Twitter or Facebook.