Meta Uses AI Bone Analysis to Detect and Remove Underage Users from Facebook and Instagram

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has rolled out a new artificial intelligence system designed to detect and remove users under the age of 13 from its platforms. The AI analyzes photos and videos uploaded to Facebook and Instagram, focusing on general themes and visual cues such as height and bone structure.

In a blog post published on May 21, 2024, Meta emphasized that this technology does not involve facial recognition and will not identify specific individuals in images. Instead, the AI scans for contextual clues across posts, comments, bios, and captions to enforce age restrictions.

The initiative is part of Meta’s broader efforts to comply with child safety regulations and keep underage users off its platforms. The company stated:

"We want to be clear: this is not facial recognition. This system does not identify the specific person in the image."

The AI system will analyze uploaded content to identify potential underage users, though Meta has not provided specific details on how the technology distinguishes between children and adults based on bone structure or height alone. The company also noted that it will continue to refine the system to improve accuracy and reduce false positives.

This move follows increasing scrutiny over social media platforms’ handling of child safety and data privacy. Meta has faced criticism in the past for failing to adequately protect younger users, including allegations of inadequate moderation and data collection practices.

The announcement comes as regulators worldwide tighten restrictions on children’s access to social media. Earlier this year, the European Union introduced the Digital Services Act, which imposes stricter obligations on platforms to protect minors. Similarly, U.S. lawmakers have proposed bills aimed at enhancing online safety for children, including measures to verify user ages.

Meta’s AI system is expected to roll out gradually across Facebook and Instagram in the coming months. The company has not disclosed the exact timeline for full implementation.