Instagram Rolls Out New Age‑Verification Tricks
On Thursday (June 23), the photo‑sharing giant from Meta, Instagram, announced it’s testing fresh ways to confirm how old you actually are. The rollout kicks off in the United States, and it still keeps the classic “upload a photo of ID” option as a backup.
Why Age Matters (for the Platform, Not Just Your Parents)
“When we know if someone is a teen (13‑17 years), we provide them with age‑appropriate experiences,” said Erica Finkle, Meta’s data‑governance chief. “We default them to private accounts, block unwanted adult contact, and even limit how advertisers can reach the little ones.”
Three New Paths to Confirm Your Age
- Video Selfie Check: Upload a short selfie on video, and Yoti’s tech will analyze facial cues to estimate your age. Once the check’s done, both Meta and Yoti say the picture goes straight to the shredder.
- 3 Friends Proof (All 18+) : Pick three people you follow; anyone over 18 can vouch for you. Handy if you’re shy about selfie‑time.
- Identity Photo Upload (the old favorite): Snap and upload a snapshot of your ID for the classic verification route.
Partnership with Yoti
Instagram teamed up with Yoti, a company that specializes in online age checking, so that privacy stays top‑priority. Yoti’s tools are built to keep your data safe on the way.
Why This Matters After Instagram Kids Fell Hollow
Last year the platform paused its highly‑anticipated “Instagram Kids” experiment after backlash from lawmakers and advocacy groups. Critics worried about safety; they argued the site, even with parental permissions, could still expose children to content they shouldn’t see. Now, Instagram is hitting the reset button—focusing on adult‑age checks that give teens more control.
So, whether you’re a careful teenager wanting a private space or an adult tired of seeing ads that feel too bold, Instagram’s new age‑verification tactics promise a more tailored, safer experience.
