What is Meta AI?

Meta AI is an AI assistant developed by Meta. It is integrated into Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, and is available as a standalone chatbot on Meta’s website. Meta AI is also present in the Meta AI glasses, which lets wearers get AI advice and information from their glasses.

Like most AI assistants, Meta AI can answer questions, help brainstorm and hold conversations like a human. Its integration into social media platforms also means businesses and other accounts can use Meta AI to automatically respond to the messages they receive.

Additionally, the standalone chatbot version of Meta AI gives users the ability to generate images and videos based off text prompts.

A related tool, Meta AI Studio, allows users to create their own custom AI characters. It is currently available in the US, with plans for it to be released in the UK in future.

Meta AI is free to use, and a dedicated app can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices. The AI is also accessible through the Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger apps.

Meta AI age rating

Meta AI requires users to be at least 13 years of age to use the tool. This is the same minimum age requirement as Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram and Messenger. However, there is no strong age verification. The chatbot can be used without logging in by inputting a year of birth, but this age is self-reported and can be entered without additional checks.

Like most chatbots, Meta AI is trained on massive amounts of data. This includes content shared on Facebook and Instagram. Using this data, Meta AI can respond to messages in a human-like way that feels almost indistinguishable from a real conversation. However, the AI is not truly intelligent and responds by predicting the most likely word to use next based on the data it has been trained on. This means responses will always borrow from something that has already been written.  

Meta AI is available as a standalone chatbot and within Meta’s social media apps. These two modes of use offer different experiences.

Standalone version

The standalone version of Meta AI works similarly to other popular AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini. It is separate from Meta’s social media platforms, and unlike in-app versions, it allows users to generate pictures and videos within the chat. A simple prompt can generate ‘art’ in minutes. There are guardrails in place to prevent inappropriate content being generated, but they are not perfect, and errors in the AI can sometimes produce inappropriate results. The AI can also edit pre-existing images, such as removing a background from a photo.

With no social media features, the standalone version of Meta AI avoids some of the risks present in the in-app version. However, it is still prone to common AI risks such as misinformation and over-reliance.

In-app version

Meta AI is integrated into Meta’s social platforms, combining the AI with the features of social media. Using this version requires a Meta account, unlike the standalone version, which can be accessed without logging in.

This version is only capable of responding through text and cannot generate images or videos. However, Meta is planning on rolling out an image generation feature for it. Unlike the standalone version, which works like other popular AI chatbots, the in-app version of Meta AI feels like interacting with a regular account. This can make it difficult for younger users to realise that they are not interacting with a real person.

Meta AI can help users come up with ideas for captions or posts and is also used by influencers and businesses to automatically reply to followers or customers. It can also be used within group chats to answer questions the group has.

Meta AI does not currently offer parental controls. However, Meta has announced plans to introduce controls in future. These would allow parents to disable chats with characters, block specific AI characters and view what topics their teen has been discussing with AI.

Meta AI’s primary audience is adults, and it is designed to reflect this. The chatbot and the platforms that feature it have a minimum age requirement of 13, so children younger than this should not use the AI.

Even if your child meets the minimum age, there are still risks involved in using Meta AI, so you should consider if your child is mature enough to use it safely. You could try supervising them while they use it to see if they are interacting with AI responsibly.

Benefits of Meta AI

Education

Meta AI can answer questions, give advice and help children understand school topics or explore new hobbies. This encourages learning and allows them to discover different areas of interest.

If your child uses Meta AI for schoolwork, encourage them to use it to explain concepts rather than do the work for them. Doing the work themselves helps them actually learn, and teachers are likely to recognise AI-generated work due to the language used or incorrect information.

Creativity

Children can use Meta AI to help them brainstorm new ideas for stories, games or activities. This can be a good way to find new things to do and can provide jumping off points for children to think up their own ideas. For example, asking for a writing prompt can give them a place to start, that can then become a different story while they write.

Productivity

Meta AI can help children with their productivity. It can automate smaller tasks and support in planning processes. For example, it can break down a big job into smaller, manageable tasks or suggest alternative words for writing.

Misinformation

AI chatbots are not infallible, instead generating their responses based off other content they have been trained on, and they can repeat misinformation in a confident and convincing tone. Children might struggle to identify incorrect responses and believe and repeat misinformation.

Ensure your child has the critical thinking skills necessary to discern fake information before you let them use Meta AI.

Inappropriate content

Despite having guardrails in place to prevent the chatbot from sharing harmful responses, sometimes things will slip through and the AI will make a confusing or inappropriate statement.

Learn how to support your child if they are exposed to inappropriate content.

Impacts on wellbeing

Some children might begin to view the chatbot as a real companion or friend, rather than a digital tool. The risk may be higher with Meta AI, as the chatbot can appear as a regular Instagram account, blurring the line between AI and a real person.         

Having an emotional connection to a chatbot could harm a child’s social development, as they may become accustomed to interacting with an AI that won’t disagree with them. They might also prioritise the chatbot over opportunities to form real life relationships.

There is also a risk that a child might turn to AI for support with their issues, rather than informing a parent or teacher. AI’s do not understand human emotion and might give inappropriate advice.

Have regular conversations with your child about their online life. This makes them more likely to come to you if they have an issue, rather than looking to AI for support.

Social media use

As the AI is integrated into Meta’s social platforms, using Meta AI could result in your child spending more time on social media. This can increase the chances of your child being exposed to the risks found on social media.

Encourage your child to use the standalone chatbot instead of the in-app version on social media, as this can help reduce the time they spend on these platforms.

AI conversation starters

Learn how to talk about artificial intelligence

How to use Meta AI safely

If you allow your child to use Meta AI, the following advice can help them use it safely and responsibly.

Ensure your child can identify misinformation so that they will not be fooled by any incorrect responses from the chatbot. If you do not think your child has the critical thinking skills to identify when an AI is wrong, they should not use the chatbot unsupervised.

Meta stores information from user conversations to train and improve its AI model. Teach your child to avoid sharing any personal information, such as their full name, address or school with the chatbot to help keep their identity safe.

Try using the platform alongside your child at first so you can see how they interact with the chatbot and ensure they are using it safely. When they start using it independently, make it clear that they can come to you for support if the chatbot gives any confusing or worrying responses.

Using Meta AI can lead to your child spending more time on Meta’s social media platforms. Setting up parental controls on these platforms can help you manage your child’s social media experience.