Under-16s could be banned from Vinted and eBay over grooming fears

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 8 Nov, 11:12 · Archive

The UK government is considering banning under-16s from online marketplaces including Vinted and eBay over child safety concerns. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said the government was 'looking seriously' at including the retailing websites in the ban 'in order to keep children safe'. The expansion follows reports that the messaging functions on these platforms allow strangers to groom children in exchange for money and gifts.

eBay currently requires all members to be over 18 years old, citing contractual requirements. Vinted also states its users need to be at least 18. According to Ofcom research, 19 per cent of children aged eight to 14 use eBay each month while 15 per cent use Vinted. Other reselling platforms including Depop and Facebook Marketplace would likely be included in the ban.

The move would expand the government's existing social media ban for under-16s, which the government announced in June 2026 and is expected to come into force in March 2027, affecting platforms such as Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat. A full list of affected platforms is expected to be announced in spring 2027, with the online marketplaces ban set to come into force before the end of 2027. The Children's Society has warned that various websites are used to groom children, targeted for specific age groups.

How it is being reported

• Under 16s face Vinted and eBay ban over concerns strangers are contacting themLisa Nandy, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary, confirmed she is 'seriously' looking at doing more to prevent youngsters accessing online marketplacesThe Mirror · 8 Nov, 12:53
• Under-16s will be banned from Vinted and eBay in grooming crackdownA social media ban for kids will be expanded to cover online marketplaces.Metro · 8 Nov, 12:16
• Government 'looking seriously' at banning under-16s from Vinted and eBayThe culture secretary confirms reports they could be in the list of platforms set to be banned next March.BBC News · 8 Nov, 10:44
• Under-16s to be banned from Vinted and eBay over fears they could be groomed in online marketplacesCulture Secretary Lisa Nandy is expected to release a full list of platforms affected by the new rules, which are set to come into force before the end of 2027.Daily Mail · 8 Nov, 09:54

In this story: Lisa Nandy · Vinted · eBay · Depop · Facebook Marketplace · Ofcom · Children's Society · UK

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