UK government considers banning under-16s from Vinted and eBay

The UK government is seriously considering banning children under 16 from using resale platforms such as Vinted and eBay, according to the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, reported by BBC Business.

This potential ban would extend the existing social media restrictions set to take effect in March next year, which currently prohibit under-16s from accessing platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.

The move aims to protect children from risks associated with messaging functions on these resale sites, which have raised concerns about the possibility of strangers grooming minors, as reported by the Sunday Times and mentioned by the culture secretary on BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

While eBay expressed a willingness to engage with the government to understand the implications and work constructively, Vinted has not responded to requests for comment.

The Sunday Times also suggested that other resale platforms like Depop and Facebook Marketplace might be included in the ban, highlighting a broader government effort to enhance online safety for children.