Meta Strengthens Child Protection With AI-Powered Visual Age Verification

Meta is implementing AI-driven visual analysis to identify underage users with greater accuracy, responding to regulatory pressure from Europe's Digital Services Act and widespread child account fraud. By analyzing physical traits and behavioral indicators rather than relying solely on self-reported age, the company aims to close critical gaps in platform safety mechanisms. This shift represents a turning point in social media child protection, though it raises significant questions about privacy and algorithmic fairness in age estimation.