Online marketplaces like eBay and Vinted will ban users under the age of 16 as part of new government regulations aimed at protecting children from online grooming. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is set to announce a comprehensive list of affected platforms, with the rules anticipated to take effect before the end of 2027.
The initiative follows concerns raised by a leading children's charity about the vulnerability of young users on these sites. Research from communications watchdog Ofcom indicates that a significant percentage of children aged eight to 14 regularly use platforms such as eBay and Vinted.
Details regarding social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and X, that will also implement under-16 bans are expected later this year. The new measures for online marketplaces, which may also include Depop and Facebook Marketplace, will be announced in the spring.
A government source stated that there is growing evidence of under-16s accessing these services and facing potential risks. The approach emphasizes the need for effective age verification for platforms with messaging functions that allow interaction with strangers.
The ban for online marketplaces is likely to be enacted through secondary legislation. The Children's Society has submitted evidence to Parliament highlighting how various websites are used for grooming, targeting specific groups of children, including those needing money or belonging to minority groups.
These age-check proposals are part of a broader government effort to regulate children's social media use. Previous plans announced in June proposed banning under-16s entirely from social media, while introducing overnight access restrictions and disabling default addictive features for 16 and 17-year-olds. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the importance of these measures in promoting healthy online habits and well-being for young people.
Vinted has become a major player in the UK's fashion retail sector, attracting 17 million British users. eBay also boasts a large global user base, with 132 million active buyers worldwide in 2023.