The UK government is seriously considering extending its planned ban on social media access for children under 16 to include second-hand online marketplaces like Vinted and eBay. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed the potential expansion during an interview on the BBC, stating that officials are reviewing the inclusion of these retail platforms to ensure child safety.
The initial legislation, set to take effect in March 2027, currently targets major social networks such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. However, reports indicate that the scope of the ban is widening to address concerns about direct messaging features on other types of apps. The Sunday Times reported that the government is concerned about the ability of strangers to contact minors through the messaging functions available on these resale sites.
Expanding the Scope of the Ban
Nandy addressed the rumors directly on the Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme. When asked if the government was looking to ban under-16s from Vinted and eBay, she replied, “We are looking seriously at doing so in order to keep children safe.” This statement aligns with earlier reports suggesting that similar reselling platforms, including Depop and Facebook Marketplace, might also be added to the restricted list.
The government announced the original ban in June, aiming to prevent children from accessing ten of the largest social media platforms. The legislation defines the restricted sites as those whose primary purpose is to enable social interaction and allow users to post material. This definition is broad enough to potentially cover gaming sites with livestreaming or chat capabilities, although specific platforms like Roblox may only have certain features restricted rather than a full ban.
Platform Responses and Age Requirements
Both eBay and Vinted currently require users to be at least 18 years old to create an account. eBay states that this age limit is necessary because transactions involve entering into legal contracts. Vinted, which has grown to reach 17 million users in the UK, also enforces an 18-year-old minimum for its users, who primarily buy and sell unwanted clothing and fashion items.
In response to the news, an eBay spokesperson said the company was focused on providing a trusted and safe marketplace experience for its customers. The spokesperson added that while the details of the proposed legislation are not yet clear, the company looks forward to understanding more and continuing to work constructively with the government. Vinted has not yet issued a public comment regarding the potential inclusion in the ban.
The UK’s approach follows a similar ban introduced in Australia last year. However, officials in London have indicated they intend to take a tougher stance on enforcement than their Australian counterparts, where many children have found ways to bypass age restrictions. The communications regulator Ofcom recently released recommendations for the most effective methods to verify the age of millions of users, a key step in implementing the ban.
YouTube will also be included in the ban for users under 16, but YouTube Kids, a version designed for younger audiences, will remain accessible. The final list of affected platforms has not been officially released, but the focus remains on sites that facilitate direct communication between users.
Source: BBC
