Ofcom warns ID gap may block 150,000 teens from social media

A gap in standard identification documents could prevent more than 100,000 British teenagers from accessing social media once an under-16 ban takes effect next spring. The UK’s online watchdog, Ofcom, estimates that approximately 150,000 16- and 17-year-olds do not own a passport or driving licence. These documents are likely to serve as the primary method for verifying age on restricted platforms.

The regulator published an assessment on Thursday outlining four highly effective age verification measures. These include matching official ID against a live selfie, bank verification, official digital ID services, and facial age estimation. Ofcom stated that facial age estimation, already used for pornographic sites, may be inaccurate by several years. Consequently, the watchdog said a form of official photo ID will likely be needed as a backstop for users whose facial age is misread.

Melanie Dawes, the head of Ofcom, acknowledged that the new rules will require a change in behavior for many families. She noted that motivated children will attempt to bypass the restrictions, similar to trends seen in Australia. Dawes described the upcoming ban as a huge cultural shift that will take time to adjust to. She compared the situation to alcohol laws, noting that while they do not completely eradicate underage drinking, platforms will have ways to mitigate the risk of evasion.

The UK government has not yet confirmed exactly which platforms will be covered, though expectations mirror the Australian model. The anticipated list includes Facebook, Instagram, Kick, Reddit, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, and YouTube. In Australia, where a similar ban was introduced in December, the eSafety commissioner reported that a substantial proportion of under-16s have flouted the rules. A survey of 900 Australian parents found that 31% said their children still held social media accounts after the ban, down from 49% before the laws were passed.

More than nine out of ten Britons over the age of 16 currently hold a passport or driving licence, meaning the minority without these documents will need to take steps to obtain one. The government plans to introduce regulations confirming the ban by the end of the year. Ofcom is also opening a consultation on the best age verification methods before issuing official guidance on which specific measures platforms must adopt.