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Ofcom outlines age check methods ahead of social media ban for under-16s
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Ofcom has set out its recommendations for the most effective ways to identify which of the UK's millions of social media users are aged over 16.
Key facts
- Age verification below 18 is challenging because 16 and 17 year olds don't have credit cards or full driving licences, and may not have passports either
- But Andy Burrows, the Molly Rose Foundation's chief executive, said Ofcom had shown a "dire track record" of enforcing the Online Safety Act
- raising questions over how effectively it would help
- Ofcom has set out its recommendations for the most effective ways to identify which of the UK's millions of social media users are aged over 16
- Ofcom CEO Dame Melanie Dawes said the regulator was drawing on its experience in introducing tougher age checks for porn sites last year
Summary
Under the UK's social media ban - which is due to come into force in March next year - those under that age will be prevented from accessing ten of the biggest platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. Many UK adults are also likely to have to confirm that they are not under-age by using one of the proposed measures, which are subject to government approval. A similar ban was introduced in Australia last year but many children there have found ways to get round it. Age verification below 18 is challenging because 16 and 17 year olds don't have credit cards or full driving licences, and may not have passports either.