Meta will use AI to analyze height and bone structure to identify if users are underage

Meta has announced a new initiative aimed at using artificial intelligence to better identify users under the age of 13 on its platforms, Facebook and Instagram. The company revealed that it will analyze photos and videos for visual indicators, such as height and bone structure, to estimate a user’s age. This move is part of a broader strategy to ensure compliance with age restrictions on its services. In a blog post, Meta emphasized that this approach is not about facial recognition. Instead, the AI will focus on general visual themes and cues to assess a user’s likely age without identifying them personally. By integrating these visual assessments with text and interaction analysis, Meta aims to significantly improve its capability to detect and remove underage accounts. Currently, this visual analysis system is being tested in select countries, with plans for a wider rollout in the future. This initiative aligns with Meta's ongoing commitment to keeping children under 13 safe on its platforms. Alongside this new feature, the company also employs AI to evaluate entire user profiles for contextual hints, such as mentions of birthday celebrations or school-related discussions. If the AI suspects a user may be underage, their account will be temporarily deactivated, and the user will have to go through Meta's age verification process to restore access. This announcement follows a recent court ruling in New Mexico, where a jury mandated Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for putting children at risk and misleading consumers regarding the safety of its platforms. In addition to this new age verification technology, Meta is also expanding its stricter “Teen Accounts” feature on Instagram to 27 countries in the EU and Brazil. These accounts come equipped with enhanced safety measures, such as limiting direct messages to known contacts, hiding harmful comments, and defaulting accounts to private settings. Furthermore, Meta plans to introduce this robust feature to Facebook in the U.S., followed by launches in the U.K. and EU later this year.