Meta is expanding its age verification efforts by analyzing the faces of teenage users on Facebook and Instagram. The company says the AI will estimate ages based on visual cues like height and bone structure, but insists this isn't facial recognition. Regulators in Europe, Brazil, and the US are demanding social media companies do a better job blocking users under 13 and ensuring teenagers see age-appropriate content.

The social network already uses AI to scan profiles for contextual clues—birthday celebrations, mentions of school grades, and captions. Meta is now extending this visual analysis to Instagram Reels, Live, and Facebook Groups. The company argues no single company can solve age verification alone and wants app stores to handle this responsibility instead of individual app developers.

Meta claims 88% of US parents support their approach to age assurance. The company frames this as a necessary step toward implementing Teen Accounts and delivering age-appropriate experiences. This push comes as regulators globally are tightening requirements around protecting minors on social platforms.