Meta is disabling AI characters for teenagers, at least for now

Age verification on the internet has always been a topic of discussion. Mostly, it involves a simple self-declaration that offers little protection. Platforms like Instagram analyze user behavior and convert accounts to teen accounts if necessary. However, the Meta group, which owns apps like Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp, continues to face lawsuits from institutions and parents concerned about the inadequate protection of children and adolescents.

Now, Meta intends to temporarily pause access for teenagers to its AI characters across all its apps worldwide. The company announced this in a statement on its website. This part of the apps will be paused until the new child protection model is in place.

The move comes shortly before a trial against Meta in New Mexico. In this trial, the company is accused of not doing enough to protect children from sexual exploitation in its apps. The IT news portal TechCrunch had previously reported on Meta's step.

The Causes of Mental Problems

Just last week, the company had rejected similar accusations, stating that mental health problems in children and adolescents cannot be directly attributed to social media use. Limiting the challenges faced by young people to a single factor ignores scientific research and the many stressors affecting young people today, Meta writes in its statement on youth protection.

However, the company shares parents' concerns about safe, age-appropriate experiences for teenagers on social media. Through so-called teen accounts, young people are shown less sensitive content and have fewer unwanted contacts, and they spend less time on Instagram at night, the company explained on its website in response to various legal disputes.

Teen Accounts

At the end of 2024, the Meta group activated more protection features and parental control options for the Instagram accounts of minors in Europe. With the introduction of teen accounts, existing accounts of teenagers under 16 years of age were automatically switched to private, among other things.

There are also accusations against AI providers like OpenAI. At the end of September, the company introduced youth protection for ChatGPT. If a teenager's ChatGPT account is linked to that of an adult family member, the provider's youth protection regulations apply. Among other things, children and adolescents can no longer engage in sexual, romantic, or violence-glorifying role-playing with ChatGPT.

(uk)