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Popular online marketplaces like Vinted and eBay could soon be added to the UK government’s upcoming social media ban for children under 16. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that authorities are carefully reviewing the measure to protect young users from potential online harms.
Expansion of the Under-16 Ban
The UK’s ban on social media access for individuals under 16 is scheduled to take effect in March next year, restricting platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Lisa Nandy said the government was looking seriously at including retailing websites in the social media ban to keep children safe.
This follows a report by the Sunday Times indicating that the ban would widen to include second-hand online marketplaces over concerns that built-in messaging features enable strangers to groom children. The report suggested that similar resale platforms, including Depop and Facebook Marketplace, could also face restrictions.
Platform Rules and Industry Response
While eBay currently requires all users to be over 18 because its listings involve legal contracts, Vinted permits parents or guardians to set up accounts for their children under strict parental supervision. Vinted has expanded rapidly to reach 17 million users in the UK, primarily as a platform for buying and selling unwanted fashion items.
A Vinted spokesperson acknowledged that direct messaging is part of the platform’s operation but emphasized a zero-tolerance approach to harmful content, supported by moderation teams and tools. An eBay spokesperson stated that the company is focused on providing a safe marketplace and looks forward to working constructively with the government once details become clear.
Scope of Restrictions and Enforcement
Announced in June, the government ban targets 10 of the largest social platforms, including YouTube, though YouTube Kids will remain accessible. The restrictions will cover sites designed for social interaction where users can post material, livestream, or allow contact from strangers, which also includes specific gaming sites.
While massive gaming platforms like Roblox will not be entirely banned for under-16s, features such as their chat functions will face restrictions. Matthew Sinclair, a senior director at the Computer and Communications Industry Association, cautioned ministers against scope creep, warning that messaging restrictions could impact services families rely on to stay connected.
As the UK prepares to implement a tougher approach than Australia’s previous ban, focus has shifted toward enforcement methods. Last month, Ofcom outlined recommendations for age verification.
Rani Govender, head of online child safety at the NSPCC, emphasized that while effective age checks are crucial, tech companies must also integrate child safety into every platform, device, and artificial intelligence tool to protect minors from harmful and illegal content.
