Meta has announced that it is working with parents and new technology to increase enrollment in Teen Accounts, providing safer digital experiences for younger users.
The company said it will begin notifying parents on Instagram about the importance of ensuring their teens provide the correct age and how to verify it together.
“Parents don’t have to go it alone – we’re using AI to help place ‘suspected teens’ into Teen Account settings,” Meta said in its announcement.
Teen Accounts See Wide Adoption
Meta reported that it has enrolled more than 54 million teens in Teen Accounts globally. Of those, 97% of teens aged 13–15 have opted to stay in these protective settings. The company also expanded the Teen Account features to Facebook and Messenger.
Meta noted that both parents and teens have expressed satisfaction with the updated experience. Over 90% of surveyed parents reported that the new Teen Account protections help support their teens on Instagram. Despite the positive feedback, Meta continues to address concerns from parents about the overwhelming nature of the online world and strives to make sure teens have age-appropriate experiences.
Parental Engagement Initiative
Beginning April 21, 2025, Meta will begin notifying parents on Instagram, encouraging them to have conversations with their teens about the importance of providing accurate age information.
Meta collaborated with experts, including pediatric psychologist Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, to offer tips on how parents can verify their teens’ ages and have productive discussions about online safety.
Meta emphasized that the digital landscape continues to evolve, and it is crucial to work with parents to ensure that as many teens as possible benefit from the protective settings associated with Teen Accounts.
AI Technology to Detect and Place Suspected Teens
In recognition of the fact that parents may not always have time to manually adjust settings, Meta is introducing new AI technology to help.
Starting April 21, 2025, the company will begin testing a system in the United States that uses AI to identify accounts that are likely operated by teens, even if the account lists an adult birthdate, and will automatically place them into Teen Account settings.
Meta has been using AI for age detection for some time, but this will mark a major change in how it is applied. The company is focused on ensuring that the technology is accurate and that teens are placed into the correct, protective settings. In the event of an error, users will have the option to modify their settings.
Meta also acknowledged that determining online age remains an industry-wide challenge. While the company continues to work on ensuring teens are in age-appropriate environments, it believes the most effective method for verifying age is by obtaining “parental approval and verifying age” via app stores.
Availability
The updated notifications for parents and the AI-based teen detection system will start rolling out in the United States on April 21, 2025. Meta has not yet shared a timeline for a global rollout.