With concerns about the presence of teenagers on social media growing, Instagram has taken an important step towards protecting underage users. In its latest update, the platform is using artificial intelligence to identify underage users to provide a safer experience for this age group. Below, we will examine how this technology works, its goals, and the impact it has on users and social media policies.

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How does AI determine the age of users?

Instagram uses a combination of the following methods to determine the age of users:
• Facial analysis: With the user’s permission, profile pictures or uploaded videos are analyzed by machine learning systems to determine the approximate age of the person.
• Behavioral patterns: The way the app is used, the words searched, how the content is interacted with, and the followers are examined.
• Registration and authentication information: The date of birth entered when creating an account is matched with the user’s behavior to identify discrepancies.

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Why is it important to identify teenage users?

The presence of teenagers in cyberspace can bring risks such as:
• Viewing inappropriate content
• Falling victim to online abusers
• Addiction to excessive use of social networks

. Therefore, accurate identification of underage users is the basis for increasing digital security and optimal content management for teenagers.

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New Instagram rules for teenagers

By identifying users under the age of 18, Instagram imposes specific restrictions on them:
• Accounts are not visible to strangers (Private by default)
• Sensitive content filter
• Targeted advertising is limited
• Restrictions on messaging from unknown people

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The impact of this measure on brands and marketers

Although this measure is for the benefit of teenage users' mental health, brands and advertising pages must also adapt to it. Things to consider:
• Targeting ads to teens won’t be as easy as it used to be
• Algorithms may limit access to this age group
• You need to produce content that is safe and appropriate for teens to pass the filter

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Is Instagram alone? A look at the competition

Platforms like TikTok and YouTube are also using similar technologies in parallel to restrict users under 13 or 16. The competition to increase teen safety has become the new standard on social networks.

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Conclusion

Using AI to identify teen users is one of Instagram’s smart steps towards digital safety. This change not only benefits underage users, but also warns brands that they need to interact with their audiences more responsibly and consciously.

If you also want your page to comply with these new standards, the "Azvino" team is ready to help you with professional services including content production, view increase, and page growth strategy.