UK government considering ban on under-16s from Vinted and eBay

Vinted and eBay are poised to join the list of platforms barred to under-16s in the UK, as the government moves to protect children from online grooming. The Daily Mail reported ^[1] that Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is preparing to announce a ban on these digital marketplaces, alongside Depop and Facebook Marketplace, amid fears that strangers are using messaging functions to target minors.

Speaking on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Nandy confirmed the government is "looking seriously" at including these retailing websites in the social media ban "in order to keep children safe" ^[2]. The move follows warnings from children's charities that young users are being threatened and coerced into exchanging money and gifts for attention. Research cited by Ofcom suggests 19 per cent of children aged eight to 14 use eBay monthly, while 15 per cent use Vinted ^[1].

The ban, expected to come into force before the end of 2027 according to the Daily Mail ^[1], will likely be implemented through secondary legislation. A government source told The Times that there is "increasing evidence" that under-16s are accessing these services and facing potential risks, necessitating highly effective age requirements. This expansion builds on the existing ban for social media giants like Instagram and TikTok, which takes effect in March next year ^[2].

The Children's Society warned parliament that sites like Vinted specifically target children who need money, making them vulnerable to exploitation ^[1]. While eBay and Vinted currently state that users must be over 18 to enter into contracts, enforcement has proven difficult ^[2].

For older teenagers, the crackdown is slightly less severe. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall explained that 16 and 17-year-olds will not be banned entirely but will face overnight restrictions from midnight to 6am ^[1]. Features designed to encourage endless scrolling, such as auto-play videos and personalised feeds, will also be switched off by default for this age group to improve sleep and wellbeing.

Vinted has rapidly become the third-largest fashion retailer in the UK, with 17 million users, while eBay reports 132 million annual active buyers globally ^[1]. Both companies have been contacted for comment but have not yet responded to the proposed restrictions.