The UK’s upcoming social media ban for children under 16 could soon extend to an unexpected corner of the internet. The government is now considering including popular secondhand marketplaces like eBay and Vinted in its sweeping restrictions, potentially putting buying and selling used goods in the same regulatory category as scrolling through TikTok or Instagram.
According to a BBC report, UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed that ministers are seriously considering including the two platforms in the upcoming ban, citing concerns about children’s online safety. The reasoning has less to do with shopping itself than with the people children might encounter while doing it.
Shopping apps could be the next social media battleground
The proposed expansion follows a report from The Sunday Times, which raised concerns that messaging features built into online marketplaces could allow strangers to contact and potentially groom children. While platforms like eBay and Vinted primarily exist to facilitate transactions, their messaging systems also enable direct conversations between buyers and sellers. Similar services, including Depop and Facebook Marketplace, could reportedly face restrictions as well.
The UK announced its under-16 social media ban in June 2026, targeting major platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Facebook. The government’s wider plans also include restricting potentially risky features, such as livestreaming and communication with strangers, across other online services. However, the government hasn’t published the final list of affected platforms, and it’s still considering whether to include online marketplaces.
What’s the catch?
Both eBay and Vinted already have age restrictions in place. eBay requires account holders to be at least 18 years old, largely because buying and selling involves legally binding contracts. Vinted also targets adults, although parents or guardians can create accounts for minors under their supervision. So the challenge is about ensuring that these restrictions work.
The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, recently outlined four potential age-verification methods, including photo identification, digital IDs, banking checks, and facial age estimation. These could help platforms determine whether someone meets the minimum age requirement. Broader social media restrictions are expected to drop in spring 2027, with detailed regulations expected before the end of this year.
Whether secondhand shopping apps ultimately make the list remains unknown. However, their potential inclusion shows just how far the government is pushing for children’s online safety, even beyond traditional social networks.
