Meta is extending its AI-driven age detection technology to Australian users, placing teens suspected of misrepresenting their age into stricter “Teen Account” settings on Instagram.
The move, which mirrors a rollout in the US earlier this year, is designed to reduce unwanted contact and exposure to harmful content.
What the update means
From today, Australian teens flagged by the AI system will automatically be placed into Teen Account settings. These accounts come with built-in protections, including restrictions on who can contact them, limitations on going Live, and filters that hide unwanted images in DMs.
If the technology incorrectly flags someone, they’ll have the option to adjust their settings. Parents will also receive in-app prompts, encouraging them to talk to their teens about providing accurate ages online and offering guidance on how to confirm those details together.
Early results from the US rollout
Meta first introduced the system in the US in April. Since then, the company says over 90% of active teen accounts remain in protective settings designed to cut down exposure to unwanted content.
Mia Garlick, Meta’s regional policy director, said the technology aims to address one of the sector’s biggest challenges. “Understanding age online is a complex, industry-wide challenge, especially if people misrepresent how old they are. We’ve spent many years and invested heavily to refine our AI technology to identify in a privacy-preserving way whether someone is under or over 18.
“By expanding these measures to Teen Accounts in Australia, we’re helping ensure teens have safer, age-appropriate experiences on Instagram,” she said.
What’s next?
Garlick added that app stores should play a larger role in verifying users’ ages. “That said, we think there’s a better way to understand a teen’s age. We’d like to see App Stores, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play, give parents the ability to verify their teens’ age directly at the point of download, which could then send a signal to apps like Instagram regarding a person’s age range.”
For platforms, regulators and brands alike, the move is another sign of how the debate around online age verification and teen safety is becoming central to the industry’s future.