UK Online Safety Act: Why Is Instagram Asking Me to Verify My Age?

Instagram asking you to verify your age in the UK? How the Online Safety Act links to age checks, what the options are and what if it fails.

Md Shariar Shanaz ShuvonMd Shariar Shanaz ShuvonFounder & CEO, AwareXone
2 min read
Cover card with an ID card and camera, for why Instagram asks UK users to verify their age.
Short answer

Under the UK Online Safety Act, platforms must protect children from harmful content, which has led Instagram to ask some UK users to confirm their age. Meta's options include a video selfie age estimate or an ID upload. Complete it in-app only. If it fails or wrongly flags you as under 18, use the appeal in the same flow.

Summary
  • The Online Safety Act requires child protection duties from platforms.
  • Age checks appear for some UK accounts.
  • Meta offers a video selfie estimate or ID upload.
  • Only verify inside the Instagram app.
  • A wrong result can restrict features until fixed.
Table of contents5 sections
  1. 01Why is Instagram asking me?
  2. 02What are my options?
  3. 03What if the check fails?
  4. 04What common mistakes should I avoid?
  5. 05When should I ask an expert before I act?

Age checks are now common in the UK. Here's what the law asks and how Instagram's check works.

Last checked: 29 October 2026 against the sources listed at the end of this guide.

#Why is Instagram asking me?

GOV.UK explains that the Online Safety Act requires platforms to protect children from harmful content and use age assurance where needed. Instagram may ask you to confirm your age if your details or activity suggest you might be under 18.

#What are my options?

OptionWhat happensGood for
Video selfieAn AI tool estimates your age from a short videoQuick, no document
ID uploadYou upload an official IDWhen the selfie estimate is wrong

#What if the check fails?

  1. Retry in good light with your face fully visible.
  2. Choose the ID option if the selfie estimate is wrong.
  3. Use only Instagram's in-app flow.
  4. If you're placed into a teen account wrongly, follow the appeal steps shown.

Related guides: Can't Change My Date of Birth on Instagram: Will a Wrong Age Get My Account Restricted?.

#What common mistakes should I avoid?

  • Verifying through a link in an email or DM.
  • Using someone else's ID.
  • Retrying the selfie in poor light many times.
  • Creating a new account with a different birthday.

#When should I ask an expert before I act?

Ask for help before you appeal if the account matters to your income, your business or your memories, if you have already had one appeal rejected, or if you cannot tell whether the problem is a bug, a restriction or a hack. That is where most avoidable losses happen.

AwareXone has solved 1,300+ cases and works only through official platform processes. Support is available 24 hours, every day. We never ask for your password, login codes or backup codes, and we never name our clients. Request a free case review or message us on WhatsApp. Malaysian cases are priced in MYR; other markets are quoted in USD after review.

AwareXone is independent and not affiliated with Meta, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp or Threads. Recovery work is best-effort and the platform makes the final decision.

Is the video selfie stored?
Meta says the video is deleted after the check.
Can I skip the check?
Not if Instagram requires it to keep features.
Does this affect adults?
Some adults are asked if signals suggest they might be younger.
Is this a scam?
Real checks appear inside the app, not by email or DM.
Can AwareXone check my case before I appeal?
Yes. AwareXone offers a free case review. Send us what you see on screen and what you have already tried, and an expert will tell you whether to appeal, wait or take another route. We never ask for your password or codes.

Official sources

More free guides on the same kind of problem.