Technology: Video selfies trial to verify age of teens - Instagram
Instagram is exploring new ways for teenagers to verify their age and comply with platform rules.
The Meta-owned app is testing video selfies with facial analysis software as a new age-verification method.
Some users on Instagram try to skirt its 13+ age rule by editing their date of birth to make them appear over 18.
But US teens attempting this will now be given three ways to verify age: upload ID, ask three adult users to vouch for them or take a video selfie.
Meta says it hopes the new methods will ensure teens have an "age-appropriate experience" on Instagram.
The tech giant has previously faced criticism over teen and child safety on its platforms.
Several US states probed Instagram last year over children's experiences on the photo-sharing app, in response to leaks from Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen.
Will Gardner OBE, chief executive of Childnet and director of the UK Safer Internet Centre, says the trial is encouraging: "The potential is there to try and help protect children from content which isn't for them and make their internet experience more age-appropriate."
5Rights Foundation, a UK organisation campaigning for child safety in the digital environment, says such efforts are "long overdue".
Platforms should "leave behind the 'don't look don't see attitude' that has led to millions of children being put at risk", 5Rights says, adding that "simply knowing the age of your users is not enough."
Parents and guardians of teen Instagram users were given additional tools to supervise their child's experience on Instagram earlier this month.
They can now set up time limits and view details of any reports their child makes on the platform.
Teens will also be "nudged" to look at other content if repeatedly viewing the same topics on Instagram's explore page, and encouraged to "take a break" if continuously scrolling through reels.
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