The United Kingdom government is considering a ban on users under 16 for online marketplaces including Vinted and eBay by March 2027. Culture Minister Lisa Nandy confirmed the proposal is under serious review, citing concerns that integrated messaging systems on these platforms could provide direct channels for adults to groom minors.
Expanding the digital age restrictions
The potential move targets platforms that facilitate social interaction and user-generated content. Come riportato da AGI, il governo britannico ha annunciato a giugno un divieto per i minori di 16 anni su dieci grandi piattaforme, misura che entrerà in vigore a partire da marzo 2027.
While the full list of restricted sites remains unpublished, the criteria focus on services where users can both publish content and communicate with others. Minister Nandy addressed these plans during an appearance on the BBC talk show “Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.” Prior to her television remarks, the Sunday Times had reported on the government’s intent to broaden the scope of the upcoming ban to include secondhand marketplaces.
AGI reports that the government is evaluating whether to extend this perimeter to include popular secondhand marketplaces. In addition to Vinted and eBay, the restriction could apply to similar resale services such as Depop and Facebook Marketplace. The government’s primary concern centers on private messaging tools, which are designed for price negotiations or shipping logistics but could be exploited by strangers to contact children.
The scope of the restriction also covers services offering live streaming or features enabling contact between strangers and minors, including gaming sites. This means that certain features, specifically chat functions, will be restricted on platforms like Roblox, which is currently the most popular gaming site for children between the ages of 8 and 12 in the UK.
Industry response to safety concerns
Vinted and eBay have both responded to the proposed regulations with openness to dialogue. A spokesperson for Vinted stated that while direct messaging is a “parte integrante del funzionamento della piattaforma” (an integral part of the platform’s operation), the company maintains a policy of “zero tolerance” regarding harmful or explicit content.
Vinted has expressed a willingness to engage in an “open dialogue” with government ministers and regulators as the legislative process continues.
A representative for the company stated that it is “committed to providing a reliable and safe marketplace experience” for its users. eBay noted that its current rules already require users to be over 18, as publishing a listing constitutes a legally binding contract.
A spokesperson added that while the specifics of the proposed law remain unclear, the company looks forward to discussing the matter further and collaborating with the government in a constructive manner.
Current platform age requirements
Existing policies across these platforms already place limits on younger users, though enforcement methods vary. eBay strictly requires all users to be at least 18 years old. Conversely, Vinted’s terms and conditions allow parents or guardians to open accounts on behalf of minors, provided the accounts are used under adult supervision.
The platform has seen rapid growth, reaching 17 million users in the UK alone. The government’s broader list of restricted platforms includes YouTube, though the child-focused version, YouTube Kids, will remain accessible.
The UK government is monitoring the effectiveness of similar international measures, including a legislative precedent in Australia. According to AGI, Australian authorities introduced a similar ban last year, though many minors successfully bypassed the restrictions. This has led to ongoing debate within the UK government regarding the practical implementation of the ban to ensure it cannot be easily circumvented.
Government considers adding more platforms to age restriction list
The government is considering adding Vinted, eBay, Depop, and Facebook Marketplace to the existing list of platforms barred to users under 16. These join a broader group of services, including major social media networks like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, that are scheduled for restriction by March 2027.
The government has not yet published the final, comprehensive list of all platforms subject to the March 2027 ban. It remains unclear how the government will finalize its list of affected platforms or what specific verification technologies will be mandated to prevent access by minors.
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