UK government considers extending under-16 ban to Vinted and eBay

The UK government is seriously considering extending its planned ban on social media use by under-16s to classifieds and selling platforms. These include eBay, Vinted, Depop and Facebook Marketplace. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed the intention.

Why selling platforms

The concern is the messaging tools built into these services. According to the authorities, they can give people who want to harm children a direct line of contact and make grooming, the online manipulation of children, easier.

The charity The Children's Society warns that dangerous incidents already occur on selling platforms. Young users are offered money or gifts in exchange for sending intimate photos.

What is already planned

Under the current timetable, the ban on social media access for under-16s is due to take effect in March 2027. It will cover Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat, among others, and probably the main version of YouTube too. The list of banned platforms is being prepared by the media regulator Ofcom.

Australia pioneered such a ban. Teenagers there are finding ways around the blocks, and authorities in London say they will introduce much stricter technical measures.

The age verification problem

Vinted and eBay already set a minimum user age of 18 in their terms. Rani Govender of the NSPCC points out that the key question is how the government and Ofcom will ensure effective age verification so that children cannot open accounts there at all.

At present an account can often be created by entering any date of birth. Experts also note that parents themselves set up accounts for their children with an inflated age. Many services have minimum-age rules, but they are not enforced.

Reactions from the companies

eBay representatives said they are ready to keep working with the government on the new rules. Vinted has not yet issued an official statement.

What this means for you

For now this is only under analysis, not adopted legislation. If the plan goes ahead, parents of teenagers under 16 can expect that their children will not be able to use platforms such as Vinted or Depop. The details, including the list of services covered and how age will be verified, are not yet known.