How will Ofcom check users' ages for the UK's under-16 social media ban?

BBC technology and AI editor Zoe Kleinman said Ofcom published four preferred methods for platforms to sort UK users into under-16, 16-to-18 and adult brackets: traditional ID such as a passport or driving licence, digital ID services, facial age estimation scans, and banking details. The ban starts in April next year and covers ten of the biggest networks, including Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.

• Ofcom studied Australia's earlier ban and chose a tougher approach requiring stricter verification.
• Some tech companies want age set on the phone itself, but Ofcom says that will not absolve the networks of responsibility.
• A 15-year-old named George predicted teenagers would bypass checks with borrowed IDs, fake images or hacks.

▸In their words

“sticking a fake moustache on is no longer going to make you look older than you are.” Zoe Kleinman · at 26:05 — open in the transcript →

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on Global News Podcast (2026-10-29). Read the whole episode summary →

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