Meta is implementing AI bone structure analysis to detect and remove underage users from Facebook and Instagram. The company employs artificial intelligence systems to search for contextual clues, such as mentions of school grades or birthday celebrations, which may indicate users are under 13 years old.
Meta utilizes visual analysis techniques to scan photos and videos for signs of a user’s age, clarifying that this approach does not involve facial recognition. “Our AI looks at general themes and visual cues, for example height or bone structure, to estimate someone’s general age; it does not identify the specific person in the image,” Meta stated in a blog post.
If Meta suspects a user is under 13, it will deactivate the account, requiring the user to provide proof of age to regain access. Failing to do so will result in the permanent deletion of the account.
The company is also expanding its detection systems for users aged 13 to 15, automatically placing these accounts into categories that include parental controls and other protections. This new technology will initially be rolled out on Instagram in Brazil and in 27 European Union countries.
Meta will also implement these age detection practices on Facebook, starting in the United States before expanding to the European Union and United Kingdom next month. In addition, WhatsApp has recently introduced parent-managed accounts to allow children under 13 to use the app more safely.
The European Commission has indicated that Meta may be breaching the Digital Services Act due to insufficient protections for children on its platforms. The company plans to review the findings from the European Commission’s investigation and has the opportunity to address the flagged issues.
