Using facial recognition technology to monitor children's use of social networks

In order to protect children from harmful content on social networks, the online regulator Ofcom (UK) will deploy age checks using facial recognition technology.

The plan, expected to be announced in January 2015, marks a major step forward in keeping children safe online.

According to Ofcom research, up to 60% of children aged 8-11 in the UK - equivalent to 1.6 million children - have social media accounts, despite platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat having a minimum age of 13.

Notably, one-third of children aged 5-7 are also using social media without adult supervision.

The study found that 22% of underage children lied about their age to access inappropriate content. Specifically, 25% of 8-year-olds created accounts stating they were over 16, and 14% stated they were over 18.

“It’s clear that children will lie about their age if they are allowed to self-identify. This is a major issue that needs to be addressed,” said Ofcom’s head of online safety, John Higham.

Ofcom plans to require social media platforms to adopt advanced age verification measures, including facial recognition technology.

This technology uses artificial intelligence (AI) to estimate the user's age based on images, ensuring high accuracy in distinguishing between children and adults.

“We will not accept poor screening practices. Platforms must remove harmful content and protect children from content such as violence, sexual abuse and pornography,” Mr Higham stressed.

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the power to fine tech companies up to 10% of their global turnover if they fail to comply with child protection measures.

For example, Meta - the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - could face fines of up to £10 billion (more than $12.5 billion). Executives could also be jailed for up to two years for serious breaches.

UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has said that if companies do not improve their age verification systems, the country will consider banning under-16s from using social media.

Despite tech companies claiming to have implemented measures such as scanning IDs, verifying parents or detecting unusual behavior, most children have never been asked to verify their age. Only 18% of Instagram users, 19% of TikTok users and 14% of Snapchat users surveyed said they had been asked to confirm their date of birth.

Furthermore, current platforms still allow users to change their date of birth information without careful checking, creating a large loophole in age control.

The introduction of facial recognition technology and stricter age checks are expected to go a long way in protecting children from risky online environments, but the success of the plan will depend on close coordination between tech companies and regulators.

This is not only a step forward in protecting children, but also an opportunity to build a safer online environment for all users.