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

Meta has unveiled a new AI system that analyzes photos and videos on Facebook and Instagram to detect users who may be under 13. The AI looks for visual cues such as height and bone structure to estimate age—but Meta clarifies this is not facial recognition and does not identify specific individuals. By combining these visual insights with contextual signals from posts, comments, bios, and interactions, the company aims to significantly increase the number of underage accounts it can identify and remove. The system is currently rolling out in select countries, with plans to expand globally and into features like Instagram Live and Facebook Groups. Users flagged as potentially underage will have their accounts deactivated and must complete an age verification process to avoid deletion.

This announcement follows a New Mexico jury ordering Meta to pay $375 million in civil penalties over misleading consumers about child safety on its platforms, along with mandated platform changes. Meta has since threatened to shut down its services in the state amid ongoing legal battles. Separately, Meta is expanding its stricter "Teen Accounts" feature—which defaults to private, restricts DMs, and hides harmful comments—to 27 EU countries and Brazil on Instagram, and to Facebook in the US, UK, and EU starting in June.