Government considering banning under-16s from Vinted and eBay

The UK government is considering banning under-16s from using online retail platforms such as Vinted and eBay, according to the culture secretary Lisa Nandy. The proposed ban is part of a wider crackdown on social media platforms, which will take effect in March next year and ban children from accessing sites like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat. eBay and Vinted have both welcomed the opportunity to "understand more" and work "constructively" with the government on the issue.

The government's concern is that messaging functions on these platforms could allow strangers to groom children. eBay states that it requires all members to be over 18 because listings involve entering into a contract, while Vinted allows parents or guardians to create accounts for their children under parental supervision. The platform, which is popular among those over 18, has grown to 17 million UK users and primarily facilitates the buying and selling of unwanted clothes and fashion items.

The government announced its plan to ban under-16s from social media in June, which will also ban YouTube for under-16s, although YouTube Kids will not be included. The government has not yet released a complete list of affected platforms, but it has stated that it will cover those "whose purpose is to enable social interaction and which allow users to post material."

This means that platforms with livestreaming features or that could allow strangers to contact children could be restricted, including certain gaming sites. However, Matthew Sinclair, a senior director at the Computer and Communications Industry Association, has urged the government to avoid "scope creep" and ensure that the rules are proportionate and effective.