The government is considering extending its planned social media ban for under-16s to online marketplaces Vinted and eBay, as concerns grow over the risks children may face when interacting with strangers online.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that the platforms were under consideration, telling the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that ministers were looking at including them in the restrictions "in order to keep children safe". The move could also affect other online marketplaces, including Depop and Facebook Marketplace, as initially reported by the BBC.
Why marketplaces are under scrutiny
According to the Sunday Times, the expansion is being considered amid fears that messaging features on resale platforms could expose children to grooming by strangers.
The proposed restrictions form part of the government's wider plan to prevent under-16s from accessing major social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. The ban is expected to take effect in March next year.
Scope of the planned restrictions
The government first announced its intention to restrict social media access for under-16s in June. The plans are expected to cover 10 of the biggest platforms, with YouTube also included in the proposed restrictions.
The campaign for tighter restrictions on children's access to social media has been strongly supported by Esther Ghey, the mum of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey.
Campaign for online safety
The Warrington woman has spent the past three years calling for greater protection for young people online following Brianna's killing in February 2023.
Esther has spoken publicly about the impact social media and harmful online content had on her daughter's mental health. She has previously revealed that Brianna struggled with an eating disorder and self-harm, which she believes were made worse by content she encountered on platforms including TikTok.
She has also raised concerns about the violent material one of Brianna's killers was able to access online. Esther has campaigned for under-16s to be prevented from accessing social media, arguing that parents should not be left to manage the risks alone. Her proposals have included introducing smartphones specifically designed for children, without social media apps, alongside parental monitoring software that could flag searches for dangerous or disturbing material.
