Vinted and eBay could be part of social media ban
- Published
Internet resale platforms like Vinted and eBay could be included in the list of platforms set to be banned for children aged under 16.
UK Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has told the BBC that the government is "looking seriously" at including re-sale apps in the ban in order "to keep children safe".
The concern with some of these apps is the chat and messaging functions which could allow adults to send private messages to young people, potentially putting them at risk.
The UK's social media ban is set to come into force in March next year, with plans to stop children under the age of 16 accessing platforms like Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
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What are the current rules about using online resale platforms?
Both eBay and Vinted say they are sites aimed at adults, not children.
EBay says it requires all of its members to be over 18 because listings involve "entering into a contract" between the buyer and the seller.
While Vinted says it is aimed at over 18s, its terms and conditions currently do allow parents or guardians to create accounts for their children, although it says they should be used under parental supervision.
Vinted said that direct messaging was "part of how the platform works" but that it had a "zero tolerance for harmful... content."
It says it welcomes "open dialogue" with ministers and the regulator on the issue, while eBay added it is looking forward to "understanding more and continuing to work constructively with the government".
Vinted and eBay aren't the only big resale apps and websites with chat functions.
Depop says that users have to be aged 13 or older to sign up, and must be over 18 to use PayPal and Depop Payments.
Facebook's website states that access to Facebook Marketplace is restricted to adults (over 18).
What is the UK's plan for a social media ban?
BBC correspondent Joe Tidy on what the social media ban for under-16s means
The UK government has said plans to stop children under 16 from using some of the biggest social media platforms from spring 2027.
This follows other countries where bans are in place, including Australia.
A full list of apps that would be included in the ban hasn't yet been published yet, but it's expected that Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook, YouTube and X will be part of the ban, but YouTube Kids won't.
Video games could also be affected with chat functions having to be turned off for young players.
Last month media regulator Ofcom recommended four ways that social media companies could check whether users are old enough to be on their platforms, including using ID or facial recognition software.
Rani Govender, head of online child safety at the NSPCC, said the "real question" going forward was how the government ensured age checks were effective.
"Age checks are only part of the solution," she added. "Tech companies must also be required to build child safety into every platform, device and AI tool."