Policy Watch|World
UK under-16 social media ban: Ofcom names four age checks, and most need photo ID
Asked by the government, Ofcom said on 29 October that four methods can reliably confirm a user is 16 or over: photo-ID matching, digital ID services, banking-based checks and facial age estimation. Photo ID is part of the process or likely to be the fallback, and Ofcom cites an estimate that about 150,000 16- and 17-year-olds have neither a passport nor a driving licence. Many adults may also be asked to prove their age. Regulations are due before the end of 2026 and the ban takes effect in 2027.
Daily Teabag Desk·Centre