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May 5, 2026 • Aisha Malik

Meta deploys AI to detect underage users via height and bone structure

Meta deploys AI to detect underage users via height and bone structure Meta deploys AI to detect underage users via height and bone structure Meta deploys AI to detect underage users via height and bone structure

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

Visual AI Analysis for Age Verification

Meta announced that it will deploy AI-powered visual analysis to scan photos and videos for physical indicators that a user may be under 13 years old. The system examines:

  • Height estimates
  • Bone structure patterns
  • General visual cues (not facial recognition)

Key clarification from Meta: "This is not facial recognition. Our AI looks at general themes and visual cues, for example height or bone structure, to estimate someone's general age; it does not identify the specific person in the image."

Multi-Layer Detection Approach

The visual analysis is part of a broader AI-powered age detection system that includes:

  • Profile analysis: Scanning entire profiles for contextual clues such as birthday celebrations or mentions of school grades
  • Cross-format detection: Analyzing posts, comments, bios, captions, and other content formats
  • Future expansion: Plans to extend the technology to Instagram Live and Facebook Groups

Enforcement and Verification

When the system flags a potentially underage account:

  1. The account is immediately deactivated
  2. The user must complete Meta's age verification process
  3. Failure to verify age results in account deletion

Rollout and Expansion

  • Current status: Operating in select countries
  • Teen Accounts expansion: Rolling out to 27 EU countries and Brazil on Instagram
  • Facebook integration: Launching in the U.S. first, followed by U.K. and EU in June 2026

Legal Context

The announcement follows significant legal pressure:

  • A New Mexico jury ordered Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties for misleading consumers about platform safety and putting children at risk
  • Meta was mandated to implement fundamental platform changes
  • The company has threatened to shut down services in New Mexico in response
  • This case is one of many child safety lawsuits facing Meta and other Big Tech companies

Teen Accounts Features

The stricter "Teen Accounts" on Instagram include:

  • DMs only from people they follow or are already connected to
  • Automatic filtering of harmful comments
  • Private accounts by default
  • Additional safeguards for underage users