Instagram has introduced an AI-powered age-verification system for Australian users, months before under-16s are banned from social media.
The system started on Monday, using artificial intelligence to identify users suspected to be younger than 18, and applying "teen account" settings that include protections around who can contact them and the content they see.
From December, Australians younger than 16 will no longer be able to have an account on platforms including TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, under the federal government's world-first social media measure.
Platforms will be required to detect affected users and offer ways to seek support and download their information, before deactivating the accounts and taking "reasonable steps" to stop underage Australians from dodging restrictions.
Instagram did not clarify why it would be migrating children under 16 to teen accounts when those users will be banned from holding accounts from December.
It said it was taking steps to ensure its technology was correctly placing teens into protective, age-appropriate settings, "but in case we make a mistake, we're giving people the option to change their settings".
Mia Garlick, the regional policy director for Instagram's owner Meta, said understanding age online was a "complex, industry-wide challenge, especially if people misrepresent how old they are".
"We've spent many years and invested heavily to refine our AI technology to identify in a privacy-preserving way whether someone is under or over 18," she said of the new tech, which was introduced in the US in April.
"By expanding these measures to teen accounts in Australia, we're helping ensure teens have safer, age-appropriate experiences on Instagram."
But she indicated Meta "thinks there's a better way to understand a teen's age" - pushing the responsibility for age verification onto the app stores.
"We'd like to see app stores, such as the Apple App Store or Google Play, give parents the ability to verify their teens' age directly at the point of download, which could then send a signal to apps like Instagram regarding a person's age range."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he wanted to see "greater recognition" of Australia's actions and leadership on the issue of protecting children on social media.
"This isn't an issue that's confined to Australia," he said in New York, where he is leading an Australian delegation at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
"Parents around the world are concerned about the impact that social media is having on their young ones, and no parent should face the loss of a young child."
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