NextFin news, Instagram, owned by Meta, started testing an artificial intelligence (AI) model in Canada on Monday, September 22, 2025, to identify accounts likely belonging to teenagers who have registered with adult birthdates. This initiative aims to enforce age-appropriate settings and protect younger users on the platform.
The AI system evaluates data such as the dates accounts were created and the nature of interactions users have with other profiles and content. Since people within the same age group tend to engage similarly, the AI uses these patterns to estimate whether an account holder is a teen or an adult.
If the AI suspects a user is a teen misrepresenting their age, Instagram automatically places the account under 'Teen Accounts' settings. These settings limit who the user can communicate with, restrict the amount of time spent on the app, and filter the content shown to them. Changes to these restrictions require parental supervision setup.
Instagram first introduced teen account protections in Canada last year and expanded the AI age verification feature in the United States in April 2025. The current rollout in Canada coincides with similar deployments in the United Kingdom and Australia.
Meta has also integrated facial age estimation technology from digital identity company Yoti to verify users who attempt to change their birthdate from a teen to an adult age. This process involves users submitting a video selfie, which Yoti analyzes to estimate age. However, the AI system cannot identify users under 13, the minimum age required to have an Instagram account, as it was not trained on data from this age group.
Experts caution that while AI can reduce the burden of manual age verification, it is not foolproof. Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes from Western University noted that many children under 13 still access Instagram despite restrictions, and AI cannot fully address issues like exposure to inappropriate content, online predators, or the mental health impacts associated with social media use.
Instagram's AI age verification is part of a broader effort by social media platforms to enhance online safety for young users by leveraging automated technologies. Parents in Canada, the UK, and Australia will receive notifications with guidance on discussing the importance of accurate age reporting with their teens.
Meta stated it is committed to ensuring the accuracy of its technology and providing options for users to correct misclassifications, emphasizing the balance between safety and user experience.
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