By Sohaib Shams
Children under 16 will be blocked from accessing the ten largest social media platforms in the UK from March 2027, including TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat. The ban covers more than 55 million social media users in the country, and regulator Ofcom has outlined methods to verify users' ages.
Age Verification Methods
Ofcom has recommended four "highly effective" age-check methods: photo ID matching, banking checks, digital ID services, and facial age estimation technology. The regulator said credit card checks, mobile network operator checks and email estimation work only for over-18s, while self-declaration is not considered highly effective at any age.
Concerns Over Bypass Risks
Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes warned it is "inevitable" some under-16s will circumvent the restrictions, similar to underage drinking despite alcohol laws. She said platforms can mitigate risks by making it easier to report suspected underage accounts and using technology that estimates age from online behaviour. Facial recognition may be inaccurate by several years, requiring secondary checks for some users.
Public Support for Ban
A government consultation that ended on 26 May drew more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and experts. Ninety percent of parents supported a ban, and the government said two-thirds of young people agreed children below 16 should not use at least some social media platforms. The move follows Australia's under-16 ban last December, prompting similar reviews in Spain, Greece, Portugal and Denmark.
