By Salma El-Sakka
The UK will block children under 16 from accessing the ten largest social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, starting in March 2027, but regulators warn that some young users will likely find ways to circumvent the restrictions.
Age verification methods proposed by Ofcom
Ofcom, the UK communications regulator, has outlined four "highly effective" methods for verifying user age: 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 are only reliable for users over 18, while self-declaration is not considered highly effective at any age.
Adults may also need to confirm their age
Many adults are expected to have to prove they are not under 16, though enforcement details remain unclear. Ofcom noted that social media companies will need to process a "large number of accounts" under the new rules.
Risk of children bypassing restrictions
Ofcom has warned it is "inevitable" that some under-16s will evade the checks. The regulator suggested platforms could reduce the risk by making it easier to report suspected underage accounts and by using technology that estimates age from online behaviour. Facial recognition systems may be inaccurate by several years, requiring some users to undergo a second verification step.
Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes said the ban would shape the future of children's lives online and stressed the importance of proper age checks. She acknowledged that motivated children would seek to bypass restrictions, just as alcohol laws cannot completely eradicate underage drinking, but said platforms would have ways to mitigate the risk.
Background and public support
The move follows Australia's introduction of a similar ban for under-16s in December 2025, which prompted countries including Spain, Greece, Portugal and Denmark to consider raising their own age limits. A UK consultation that ended on 26 May attracted more than 116,000 responses from parents, children and experts, described as one of the largest national conversations on the issue. The government said 90 per cent of parents supported a ban, while two-thirds of young people agreed that children below 16 should not be allowed to use at least some social media platforms.
