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Millions of Britons face Vinted and eBay ban as Government ‘looks seriously’ at crackdown
The Government is considering extending its planned ban on social media use by under-16s to online marketplaces including eBay, Vinted, Depop and Facebook Marketplace. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said ministers were looking seriously at the idea, citing concerns that adults use messaging features on these sites to target children.
The proposed marketplace restrictions could be introduced through secondary legislation by the end of 2027, after the wider social media ban is due to begin in March 2027. Ofcom research indicates that 19 per cent of children aged eight to 14 use eBay at least monthly and 15 per cent use Vinted; age limits on some services are reportedly being bypassed. The Government is also considering restrictions on online gaming platforms, while eBay and Vinted say they focus on safety and removing harmful activity.
In short
- Ministers are considering marketplace restrictions for under-16s.
- Concerns centre on adults targeting children through direct messages.
- The proposed measures could arrive by the end of 2027.
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The case for
Supporters argue that marketplaces with messaging features can expose children to unwanted contact from adults, and that existing age limits are not reliably enforced. Extending restrictions could close a safety gap and give platforms a clearer duty to prevent children being targeted.
The case against
Critics could argue that a broad ban would restrict young people’s access to legitimate buying and selling, even though risks may be addressed through stronger safeguards and enforcement. They may also question whether limits on marketplaces are proportionate, given the practical difficulty of defining which services should be covered and preventing children from bypassing restrictions.
Explained simply
Online marketplaces let people buy and sell items directly, often using in-app messages to arrange a sale. eBay, Vinted, Depop and Facebook Marketplace are among the services used in the UK, and some children use them despite age limits.
The Government is planning to restrict under-16s’ access to social media from March 2027. Ministers are also considering whether similar rules should cover marketplaces and online gaming, amid concerns that adults could use their messaging features to contact children. Any extension could be made through later legislation, with marketplaces saying they work to protect users and remove harmful activity.
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