Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 2 hrs ago
Ofcom says age checks can strengthen UK social media ban for under-16s
The UK plans to stop under-16s accessing major social media platforms from March next year.
Ofcom, the media regulator, says four age-check methods could help enforce the ban: photo ID, bank records, facial age estimates and digital ID.
The rules would cover ten of the biggest platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
Some children will still get around the checks, Ofcom says, and facial estimates can be inaccurate.
Some 16- and 17-year-olds may also lack documents such as passports or driving licences to prove their age.
Social media companies must choose and run the checks, while Ofcom will oversee whether they comply.
The proposed methods are subject to government approval, and formal legislation is expected before the end of this year.
Ofcom has recommended four methods social media companies could use to check whether users are at least 16.
The methods are photo ID matching, banking checks, digital ID and facial age estimation.
Ofcom says the checks could strengthen the planned UK ban on under-16s using major social media platforms, but some children will still bypass them.
The ban is due to come into force in March 2027, subject to government approval.
The Molly Rose Foundation’s chief executive welcomed Ofcom’s guidance but questioned whether the ban could be enforced successfully.
- Who
- Ofcom has recommended age-check methods for social media companies.
- What
- The regulator outlined four methods for checking whether users are at least 16. The UK plans to ban under-16s from ten major platforms.
- When
- The articles were published on 29 October 2026. The ban is due to come into force in March 2027.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- To restrict under-16s’ access to social media platforms and help limit their exposure to harmful material.
Ofcom
Molly Rose Foundation
Enforcement prospects
Ofcom
Ofcom says effective age checks can help make the ban work, although some children will bypass them.
Molly Rose Foundation
Andy Burrows says he has little confidence the ban can be delivered successfully.
Regulatory capacity
Ofcom
Ofcom says it will ensure social media services put required checks in place.
Molly Rose Foundation
Burrows argues Ofcom has failed to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and has insufficient powers.
Responsibility for checks
Ofcom
Ofcom says social media providers must implement their own checks, even if age checks are applied at device level.
Molly Rose Foundation
Some technology companies, including Meta, have called for checks at device level, placing responsibility with Apple and Google.
Australia introduced a comparable social media age ban, and many children there found ways to get around it.
Ofcom published recommendations on methods social media companies could use to check users’ ages.
Ministers are expected to bring forward formal legislation for the UK restriction.
The UK social media ban is due to come into force.
- Recommended methods
- Photo ID matching, banking checks, digital ID and facial age estimation
- Age threshold
- 16
- Platforms covered
- Ten of the biggest UK platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat
- Planned start
- March 2027
- Young people without licence or passport
- About 150,000 16- and 17-year-olds, according to an estimate cited by the Independent
3 sources
What people are saying
This ban will shape the future of children’s lives online so it’s important to get it right.
We should expect that motivated children will seek to bypass the restrictions – just like alcohol laws can’t completely eradicate underage drinking – but there’ll be ways for platforms to mitigate this risk.
What we've said all along is here are things that can work, they must preserve privacy, they must protect people's data, but it's on you to put in place what you think works for you.
If the ban is to be enforced by the same failing regulator and with the same insufficient powers, we should expect the same dismal results we’ve seen in Australia.