Ofcom outlines age checks for proposed under-16 social media ban

Ofcom has identified four age-assurance methods it believes could be used to support the UK government’s proposed ban on under-16s accessing social media platforms from 2027.

This rapid assessment was published on 29 October 2026. Ofcom concluded that photo ID matching, banking-based checks, digital ID services and facial age estimation are currently the most effective ways to determine whether a user is aged 16 or over.

The assessment was commissioned following the government’s announcement of plans to restrict under-16s from accessing major social media platforms. Under the proposals, platforms would be required to use “highly effective” age-assurance measures to prevent underage users bypassing restrictions.

According to Ofcom, photo ID checks would compare a user’s passport or driving licence with a live image. Banking-based checks would use age information already verified by financial institutions. Digital ID services would allow users to verify their age once through a third-party provider. Facial age estimation would use artificial intelligence to estimate a person’s age from an image.

Education leaders have welcomed the proposals. However, they also stress that responsibility for enforcing age restrictions must remain with technology companies rather than schools or parents.

Responding to Ofcom’s recommendations, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), said:

“We welcome Ofcom setting out its recommendations for identifying whether social media users are aged 16 or over. But responsibility for making these work in practice must sit with social media companies. Assurance that age checks can protect users’ privacy is incredibly important and must be upheld in practice.

“Ofcom acknowledges that some children will bypass age verification checks, making strong enforcement essential. Tech giants must be held accountable, and face heavy fines if they fail. Responsibility cannot be passed to parents and schools.

“Alongside effective checks, we need to change the expectations placed on children, as Ofcom recognises. Children should not feel pressured to join social media when they start secondary school just to keep up with classmates or access sports fixtures. They must be able to take part in real life without a social media account.

“We know age restrictions alone are not enough. Our Big Tech’s Little Victims campaign is still calling for guidance on social media’s health impacts, guaranteed space for digital literacy in the school curriculum and a ‘polluter pays’ principle requiring tech companies to help fund children’s mental health services to address the harm caused by social media.”

Ofcom acknowledged that no age-verification method is completely foolproof. The regulator said platforms will need additional safeguards to prevent users, particularly teenagers, from circumventing checks. It also highlighted concerns around accessibility, privacy and the impact on adults, many of whom may also need to verify their age to continue using certain services.

The government is expected to publish detailed regulations later this year. After that, Ofcom will consult on implementation guidance and prepare to monitor compliance when the proposed ban comes into force in 2027.