Ofcom says photo ID, bank checks, digital ID or face scans could enforce the UK's under-16 social media ban. Fair price for protecting kids, or too intrusive for adults?

What happened

On 29 October Ofcom published its assessment of how to check ages for the UK's social media ban for under-16s, due in March 2027 and covering ten of the biggest platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. It named four methods it says can be 'highly effective': photo ID matching, banking-based checks, digital ID services, and facial age estimation backed by a second 'challenge age' check. Platforms will choose their own approach. Many adults are likely to be asked to prove their age, and the government plans its first rules before the end of 2026.

Why people disagree

Supporters, including the NSPCC, say the ban only works if platforms know who is a child, and point to Australia, where many under-16s still got onto social media. Critics worry about adults handing over ID, bank or face data just to keep using apps, and note that 16 and 17 year olds often have no passport or driving licence. Meta argues checks should happen once, through Apple's and Google's app stores, rather than on every platform.

What's still unclear

Ofcom has no firm figure for how many adults will need checking and admits some children will get round the rules. The government still has to decide on the methods, and app stores aren't currently covered by the Online Safety Act.