Industry News


Instagram Will Require Users to Provide Birthdates

September 1, 2021

By Hillary K. Grigonis

© Instagram

If you are a photographer, then chances are you are also an Instagram user or have been at one point or another. Have you ever read the platform’s full terms and conditions before posting your images on it? As Instagram rolls out new protections for its youngest users, the platform will soon start blocking any users who don’t provide a birthdate for their age. Users that continue declining to provide a birthdate will eventually be blocked from accessing the app until a birthdate is provided, Instagram says.

The measure is part of a string of recent updates focused on Instagram’s youngest users. The terms of use allow users as young as 13, but teenagers are subject to more rules than adults on the platform. New accounts for users under 16 are set to private by default, for example, and direct messages are limited to only followers for users under 18.

Read: Photogs’ Lawsuit Hopes to Change Instagram’s Embed Tool Algorithms]

Instagram says that users who have not already provided a birthday will start seeing a pop-up requesting the information. After “a handful of times,” Instagram says it will prevent access to the app without a birthday.

Instagram will require birthdates when users want to use the app.

Users who have not provided an age will also see blocked content on their news feed that will require a birthday to view. Blocked content is not new, but users without a birthday linked to their account will be required to add a birthday to unlock.

[Read: Instagram’s Bombshell on Copyright for Embedded Images]

Of course, a field to type in a date isn’t going to prevent users from lying about their age. Instagram, however, says that it is working on an artificial intelligence program that will help detect inaccurate ages on the platform. The company says that it will work in part by looking for things like “Happy Birthday” posts. Instagram hasn’t shared when the feature will be launched.

Some users may be hesitant to share the information with Instagram. The pop-up says that the information won’t be public, but also notes that “we’ll also use your birthday to help personalize your experience.” Instagram will likely use the information for targeted ads. Others may feel Instagram isn’t doing enough for young users — the terms of use have been criticized for language near a college reading level despite allowing teenagers.

The changes are likely to tweak what young photographers may see popping up in the feed. Photographers sharing restricted content (like boudoir images) should also be aware that some users will have more steps to complete before being able to view the content.