Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and remove profiles of users under the age of 13, the minimum age for account creation on its platforms. The move aims to create a safer online environment for young people, according to a press release.

The AI system, dubbed Meta AI, will analyze profiles for contextual clues such as birthday posts, mentions of school grades, and even physical characteristics like height and bone structure in photos. Critics have labeled this practice "invasive."

Professor Nina Kolleck of Potsdam University warned that Meta would need to build extensive age-based data profiles. However, a company spokesperson stated that data from children under 13 is not currently used to train the AI.

Andy Przybylski, a professor at Oxford University, criticized the approach, arguing that "invasively collecting data does not keep young people safe" and instead creates a list of verified advertising targets.

Australia and Indonesia have already passed laws banning under-16s from social media platforms, including Meta's. EU countries like Germany, France, and Poland are discussing similar measures, but critics argue for better media literacy and privacy legislation instead.

A UNICEF Germany poll found that 74% of 14- to 16-year-olds reject a social media ban. Spokesperson Katja Sodomann noted that social media is vital for vulnerable groups, such as refugee children and LGBTQ+ youth, for maintaining social connections.

Source: www.dw.com