UK considers extending under-16s social media ban to Vinted and eBay

The UK government is considering including Vinted and eBay in its social media ban for under-16s, according to Drapers, citing reporting by The Sunday Times. Digital, culture, media and sport secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to extend the restrictions to selected online marketplaces.

The social media ban, announced in June, is scheduled to take effect in March 2027 and currently covers platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. The reported expansion reflects concerns that marketplace messaging functions could expose children to grooming. The Sunday Times suggested Depop and Facebook Marketplace could also be included.

The list of social media platforms covered will be announced later this year, with an expansion beyond those platforms expected to be revealed next spring (2027). An eBay spokesperson said the proposed legislation’s details remained unclear and that the company intended to continue working constructively with the government.

Why it matters The proposal could extend restrictions on younger users beyond social media to resale marketplaces used for fashion trading. For businesses operating through these channels, the scope remains unsettled: the additional platforms have not yet been confirmed.