Changes in Teenagers’ Use of Social Media

Teenagers are shifting how they engage with social media. In response to increased governmental scrutiny, TikTok is introducing new AI-driven age detection technology across Europe that aims to identify and remove accounts owned by children under the age of 13.

This system examines various aspects of user profiles, including posted videos and interaction patterns, to ascertain whether an account belongs to a minor, according to the company’s announcement.

Once an account is flagged by TikTok’s automated checks, it will be reviewed by human moderators who will decide on potential bans.

“TikTok is dedicated to ensuring that children under 13 remain off our platform. We want to provide age-appropriate experiences for teens while consistently evaluating various solutions,” the company stated. They emphasized that a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach to age verification is vital for protecting teens and adhering to safety principles.

Additionally, this initiative has been developed in partnership with the Irish Data Protection Commission, aligning with Europe’s stringent privacy regulations. This rollout follows a year-long pilot scheme in Europe that successfully removed thousands of underage accounts.

While this effort might sound thorough, TikTok does recognize that its age detection technology isn’t flawless. “Despite trying our best, no universally accepted method exists to verify age effectively while also safeguarding privacy,” they noted.

Users who feel they’ve been unjustly banned can appeal by submitting a government-approved ID, credit card verification, or a selfie for age verification.

This development is part of a wider trend where countries aim to limit minors’ access to platforms like TikTok. Studies suggest that prolonged TikTok use can heighten anxiety and depression risks by exposing younger audiences to troubling content around suicide and eating disorders.

In fact, last year, Australia introduced a groundbreaking ban on social media access for those under 16, which sparked controversy with industry leaders. They reported the removal of over 544,000 suspect accounts during the roll-out period, emphasizing that simply banning access won’t resolve the issues.

The tech industry representatives argue that a more cooperative approach with the government is necessary to establish safer and age-appropriate online environments, rather than imposing outright bans, which they fear could just drive teens to other platforms.

Meanwhile, the U.S. isn’t exempt from reconsidering TikTok’s presence. In 2024, former President Joe Biden introduced measures to restrict TikTok usage through legislation aimed at protecting Americans from regulatory impacts posed by foreign adversaries. However, former President Trump delayed this action multiple times during trade negotiations with China, extending the deadline to January 2026.