Instagram tests video selfies to use as age verification tool

Meta-owned Instagram is working to ensure that it only allows users that are 13 years and older to have an account on the platform. 

However, the new feature will try to get the age properly verified. In the US, teens will have three ways to verify their age. One way is to upload an ID, the second is to get three adult users who can vouch for them and the last one is a video selfie. Through the facial analysis software, the video selfies will be able to verify the ages.

According to BBC, the purpose behind the new feature is to ensure teens have an age-appropriate experience while using the app. “When we know if someone is a teen (13-17), we provide them with age-appropriate experiences like defaulting them into private accounts, preventing unwanted contact from adults they don’t know, and limiting the options advertisers have to reach them with ads,” said the company.

Last year, Instagram announced the plan to launch Instagram Kids. However, it received massive backlash from parents and lawmakers and hence the plan was paused. The criticism pushed Instagram to work more on its parental supervision tools and access to teens.