# U.K. ‘Looking Seriously’ at Including Online Marketplaces Like eBay and Depop in Teen Social Media Ban

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/u-k-looking-seriously-at-including-online-marketplaces-like-ebay-and-depop-in-teen-social-media-ban/
- Published: 2026-11-09T17:00:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-09T17:25:08+00:00
- Original publisher: Reason (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://reason.com/2026/11/09/u-k-looking-seriously-at-including-online-marketplaces-like-ebay-and-depop-in-teen-social-media-ban/
- Topics: Politics

## Key points

- UK ministers are considering age restrictions for online marketplaces.
- Officials cite risks linked to messaging strangers.
- The proposal could require adult users to verify their age.

## Summary

The UK government is considering extending its proposed under-16 social media restrictions to online marketplaces such as eBay, Depop, Facebook Marketplace and Vinted. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is “looking seriously” at the idea, with officials citing the risk that adults could use messaging features to contact minors.

The article says The Children’s Society has reported young users being asked for indecent photos in exchange for money or gifts, but argues that evidence of this happening on marketplaces is limited. It warns that age checks could restrict teenagers’ access to buying and selling, require adults to verify their identities and increase privacy and data-security risks.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.