Instagram’s AI is Quietly Catching Teens Lying About Their Age

Instagram’s AI tool doesn’t just rely on the birthdate users enter.

By DTD- On Apr 27, 2025

Meta has quietly rolled out a powerful new AI tool designed to catch underage users who lie about their age on Instagram. The company announced that even if a teen signs up with an adult birthdate, their account will be automatically flagged and shifted into a restricted “Teen Account” if the system suspects the user is underage.

Teen Accounts come with built-in protections that limit who can message the user and restrict what content they can see. These settings are enforced automatically for users under 16, and any attempt to change them requires parental approval. Instagram launched Teen Accounts last year to provide a safer environment for younger users, and Meta is now expanding their use.

How the AI Works

Instagram’s AI tool doesn’t just rely on the birthdate users enter. It scans posts, like birthday wishes, and listens to reports from other users to determine whether someone may be lying about their age. Once flagged, the account is automatically enrolled into the Teen Account experience, without the user’s consent.

Meta says the AI system is designed to be accurate, but acknowledges that errors can happen. In such cases, users can still manually adjust their settings. The company says it’s committed to improving the system and ensuring that the right users get the right protections.

Warning the Parents

Instagram is also planning to send out notifications to parents, educating them on how to talk to their teens about being honest about their age online. One of the easiest ways parents can ensure their child is protected, according to Meta, is to double-check that the birthdate on the account is correct.

This AI-powered system comes just two weeks after Meta introduced Teen Accounts to Facebook and Messenger. So far, more than 54 million teens worldwide have been enrolled in Teen Accounts, and 97% of those aged 13 to 15 have stayed in these protected spaces.

Meta says it’s evolving with the digital world to keep younger users safe, even if it means locking teens into protections they tried to avoid.