Meta is rolling out globally an artificial intelligence technology that determines the approximate age of Instagram users and automatically applies restrictions to teen accounts.

The system will be able to detect users aged 13 to 17, even if they entered a false date of birth in order to use the social network without age restrictions.

Meta already uses artificial intelligence to detect accounts that may belong to teenagers. To do this, the company analyzes information from accounts and looks for signs that may indicate a user’s age.

Meta previously explained that its technologies analyze contextual information in profiles, including mentions of birthdays and school attendance. To detect children under 13, the company also uses separate image analysis tools.

If the system determines that an account may belong to a teenager, Instagram will automatically apply Teen Account settings to it — even if the user stated that they are already 18.

Teenagers under 16 must also obtain parental permission to relax the restrictions that have been set.

Meta introduced Teen Accounts on Instagram back in 2024, and later extended them to Facebook and Messenger. The current update concerns specifically the automatic age detection technology, which will help apply these restrictions to more users.

Meta continues to roll out AI age detection on Facebook, and by the end of 2026 it plans to begin a global rollout of similar technology on Threads.

What is known about bans on social media for teenagers

Various countries are tightening age restrictions for social networks. Australia was the first to introduce a nationwide ban for children under 16. Already in the first week of the restrictions, Meta blocked approximately 550,000 children’s accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.

In June 2026, the United Kingdom also announced a ban on social media for children under 16. It is due to take effect in spring 2027 and will cover, among others, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook and Snapchat.

Spain is also preparing a ban for users under 16. The government wants to require platforms to verify users’ real age rather than relying only on the date of birth they enter during registration.

A similar initiative is being considered in Poland, but the proposed age threshold there is 15. Denmark is also preparing restrictions for children under 15, with possible entry into force in July 2027.

In October 2026, the Greek parliament passed a law banning social media for children under 15. It is due to take effect on January 1, 2027.

In France, the National Assembly supported a similar ban for children under 15, but in August the Constitutional Council ruled this provision unconstitutional. In Switzerland, the authorities said they were ready to consider a ban, although no final decision was made at the time.