Meta has initiated a new strategy to enhance age verification measures across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram, by employing AI technology to analyze users' facial features. This approach aims to estimate users' ages without utilizing facial recognition, focusing instead on visual cues like height and bone structure.
Despite these advancements, the effectiveness of the system has come into question, as demonstrated by a 12-year-old who deceived the AI by applying makeup to alter their appearance. Worldwide regulators are pressing social media companies to improve their ability to identify users below the age of 13, while also ensuring that content for teenagers aged 13 to 17 is appropriate.
Meta's existing AI tools already analyze user profiles for clues such as birthday posts and school references to determine age. The company is committed to developing these technologies further across its services, including Instagram Reels and Facebook Groups. Additionally, Meta advocates for shifting age verification responsibilities from app developers to app stores, arguing that collaboration is essential to effectively tackle this challenge. They report that approximately 88% of US parents endorse this legislative change.