9 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:14 UTC · updated Fri, 30 Oct 2026 15:16 UTC
Ofcom has recommended four highly effective age verification methods—photo ID matching, banking-based checks, digital ID services, and facial age estimation technology—to enforce the UK's upcoming ban on social media use by under-16s, set to take effect in 2027. The regulator acknowledged that some children will likely bypass the checks, and stressed that tech companies must implement reliable systems while preserving user privacy and data protection. Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s chief executive, emphasized that platforms must carry out effective age checks, though she noted that motivated underage users may still find ways around the restrictions.
The government is expected to finalize legislation by the end of the year. While child safety groups welcomed the guidance, some expressed concern over Ofcom’s ability to enforce the rules, citing its failure to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content under the Online Safety Act. Australia’s similar ban, which many under-16s have circumvented, has been cited as a cautionary example.
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