Social media companies are using AI and face scans to spot more kids on their platforms

Of the child safety measures agreed to in Meta’s landmark legal settlement, no category contains more detailed requirements than its commitments on age assurance—and for good reason. No matter how well the protections work, they are of little use if Meta can’t tell which users are kids. Determining which accounts belong to children is also the linchpin of child safety measures that other companies, including Google, TikTok, and Roblox, are ramping up as public and regulatory sentiment turns against them in the U.S. and other countries. The Meta settlement—with protections the company says could become industry standards—will give the social media giant a year to refine its approach. But the options are limited, and improving age verification technology presents steep challenges, including navigating privacy implications not just for children but for adults who could have to prove they are over 18. The $18 billion settlement resolves claims from state attorneys general that it hurt children’s mental health by deliberately designing its Instagram and Facebook platforms in ways that hooked young people’s attention. The agreement announced last week with the Menlo Park, California, co…