As global concern rises over the impact of social media on teenage mental health, Instagram—owned by Meta Platforms Inc.—is taking a more proactive approach to online safety for teens. The platform is currently testing advanced AI systems designed to identify underage users who misreport their age to bypass restrictions.
Meta’s New AI Tool: How It Works
Meta announced that the new system will actively detect users who may be underage, even if they enter a false date of birth during registration. Unlike previous age estimation methods, the new AI model analyzes behavior patterns, including:
- Profile activity
- Interaction with content
- Messaging and follower patterns
This initiative is aimed at preventing young children from accessing teen or adult experiences on the app without proper safeguards in place.
What Happens If a User Is Flagged
If Instagram suspects a user has misrepresented their age, the account will be automatically adjusted to a teen classification. These accounts will receive:
- Stricter privacy settings (private by default)
- Limited messaging features (only followers or approved contacts)
- Restricted access to sensitive content, including violent media and cosmetic procedure promotions
Parental Notifications and Screen Time Management
In addition to identifying underage users, Instagram is also:
- Sending alerts to parents, urging them to discuss online age safety with their children
- Notifying teen users after 60 minutes of app usage
- Activating “sleep mode” between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., which disables notifications and sends auto-responses to messages
Why Instagram Is Rolling Out These Changes
The update is part of Meta’s broader commitment to protecting minors on social media, following increased regulatory scrutiny and legal pressure in the U.S. and abroad. Lawmakers across several states have proposed bills that would enforce mandatory age verification for social media users. However, many of these proposals are facing constitutional and technical challenges.
Meta has pushed back on the notion that platforms alone should verify user ages. Instead, the company suggests that app stores—like Google Play and Apple’s App Store—should help carry the burden of age verification.
Looking Ahead: A Safer Digital Experience for Teens
With this AI-driven initiative, Instagram hopes to set a standard for teen-friendly digital environments, balancing user engagement with mental health protection and privacy. Meta stated that the features are still in testing, but it remains committed to rolling them out globally if proven effective.