Ofcom Unveils Age‑Check Methods to Keep Under‑16s Out of UK Social Media

In June, the UK government announced that children under 16 will be banned from social‑media platforms, with enforcement slated for the first half of 2027. The communications regulator Ofcom has now laid out the ways it expects tech companies to comply.

The regulator’s rapid assessment identifies four "highly effective" age‑verification techniques:

• Photo ID matching – users submit a passport or driving licence.
• Bank‑based checks – 90 % of 16‑17‑year‑olds in the UK have a bank account.
• Digital ID services – third‑party providers such as EasyID or Yoti.
• Facial age estimation via webcam – used as a secondary check.

Ofcom stresses that any method must protect privacy and that the final choice lies with the platforms. It also lists approaches it deems ineffective, such as self‑declaration, general contractual agreements and verifiable parental consent.

The regulator acknowledges that circumvention cannot be fully eliminated but believes well‑implemented safeguards will "significantly reduce the likelihood" of under‑16s gaining access. It urges app stores to take greater responsibility for age checks.

Privacy experts warn that photo ID and facial recognition raise security risks, while others point out that clunky processes may drive teenagers to workarounds like VPNs or alternative services.

Ofcom’s proposals are still under review; lawmakers will decide the enforcement mechanism before the end of the year.

Practical implications – Platforms must design age‑verification flows that are quick, privacy‑preserving and resistant to fraud. Users can verify the process by checking that the platform’s privacy policy explains how data is handled and that the service is compliant with UK law.

Official links – The full Ofcom announcement is available on the regulator’s website and was reported by the BBC.