From the Guardian · · 1m 20s
UK social media ban may lock out 100,000 teenagers
Ofcom warns that teenagers without passport or driving licence could be excluded when the under-16 ban takes effect next spring.
In brief
Ofcom warns that teenagers without passport or driving licence could be excluded when the under-16 ban takes effect next spring. Ofcom says about 150,000 British teenagers aged 16 to 17 lack the ID needed to access social media under the planned under-16 ban coming next spring. Originally reported by the Guardian.
The ban arrives next spring
The UK is introducing an Australia-style ban on under-16s accessing social media services including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. It comes into force next spring.
150,000 teenagers lack required ID
Ofcom says about 150,000 British teenagers aged 16 to 17 do not own a passport or driving licence, which are likely needed to access age-restricted platforms under the ban.
Four age verification methods proposed
Ofcom outlined four highly effective methods: checking official ID against a live selfie, a bank verifying account holder age, an official digital ID service like the Young Scot card, or estimating age via selfie.
Facial age estimation needs a backstop
Ofcom said facial age estimation could be inaccurate by several years, so a form of official ID would probably be needed as a backstop.This means people without photo ID will likely need to obtain one.
“This means that people without a form of photo ID will likely need to take steps to obtain one to access age-restricted services.”
Australia shows children will evade ban
Ofcom's chief executive Melanie Dawes said motivated children would seek to bypass restrictions, as happened in Australia.
“We should expect that motivated children will seek to bypass the restrictions, just like alcohol laws can't completely eradicate underage drinking.”
In short
Ofcom says about 150,000 British teenagers aged 16 to 17 lack the ID needed to access social media under the planned under-16 ban coming next spring.
