UK may ban under-16s from Vinted and eBay, minister says

What was said. On BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Lisa Nandy was asked whether the government plans to ban under-16s from Vinted and eBay. She said: "We are looking seriously at doing so in order to keep children safe." That confirmed a Sunday Times report published on the evening of November 7.

What the Sunday Times says. The paper reports that the under-16 social media ban will be widened to online marketplaces. The reason is fear that strangers can use messaging features to groom children. eBay, Vinted, Depop and Facebook Marketplace are all expected to be included, the paper says, citing a government source. There is no official list yet.

What is already decided. The government announced the ban on June 15, 2026. It covers platforms where people interact and post material: Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal are not included. Separately, livestreaming and contact from strangers will be restricted for under-16s, including on gaming sites. The official fact sheet says the ban starts in spring 2027. The BBC says March.

What the platforms say. eBay told the BBC the details of the proposed rules are not yet clear and it will keep working with the government. Vinted did not reply to the BBC. According to the BBC, both eBay and Vinted already require users to be at least 18 in their own terms. Vinted has 17 million UK users.

What it means. If the marketplaces are added, the 18+ rule would have to be checked, not just written in the terms. Our view: for eBay, Vinted and Depop the question is likely the cost and method of age checks, not a big hit to revenue. How age must be checked is up to the regulator Ofcom, which set out its recommendations in October.

Confirmed facts

• On November 8, 2026, UK culture secretary Lisa Nandy told the BBC the government is "looking seriously" at banning under-16s from Vinted and eBay to keep children safe.^[1]
• The Sunday Times reported on November 7 that the under-16 social media ban will be widened to online marketplaces, including eBay, Vinted, Depop and Facebook Marketplace, over grooming risks through messaging.^[2][1]
• The government announced the under-16 social media ban on June 15, 2026; it covers Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X, but not WhatsApp and Signal.^[3]
• Livestreaming and contact from strangers will also be restricted for under-16s, including on gaming sites.^[3][4]
• The official fact sheet says the ban starts in spring 2027; the BBC says March 2027.^[4][1]
• eBay told the BBC the details are not yet clear and it will work constructively with the government; Vinted did not respond.^[1]
• eBay and Vinted already require users to be at least 18; Vinted has 17 million UK users.^[1]

Implications

• ConfirmedThe government has not yet published the full list of banned platforms.
• Our readingIf marketplaces are added, they will have to verify users' age, not just state it in their terms. This is our view.
• Our readingThe direct hit to eBay and Vinted revenue is likely small, since both already say they serve only adults. This is our view.

Still unknown

• Whether Vinted, eBay, Depop and Facebook Marketplace will be on the official list
• How exactly the platforms will have to check age
• How many under-16 users these platforms have today

Who it affects

United Kingdom. People who buy and sell on Vinted, eBay and Depop, parents, and anyone following eBay stock and tech regulation

Sources

1. BBC News: Vinted and eBay could be included in under-16 social media ban, minister says November 8, 2026 · media
2. The Sunday Times: Under-16s to be banned from eBay and Vinted over grooming fears November 7, 2026 · media
3. GOV.UK (DSIT): Social media to be banned for under-16s in landmark government move to give kids their childhood back June 15, 2026 · official
4. GOV.UK: Fact sheet: New rules to protect children online June 15, 2026 · official