UK's Under 16 Social Media Ban Risks Digital ID Expansion

The UK government has announced a ban on social media for under-16s, to be enforced through what it calls highly effective age assurance, with Ofcom asked to assess suitable verification methods. At the time of reporting, the ban was expected to take effect in early 2027. The NSPCC and Smartphone Free Childhood welcomed the move, while 5Rights Foundation said it should be treated as an emergency measure rather than a long-term solution.

Broadcaster Bev Turner and Soapbox developer Derek Ross argue that checking the age of children means checking the identity of everyone, creating stores of personal data that could be breached. The article draws on Australia’s experience, Internet Matters research finding that a third of children have bypassed age checks, and the government’s statement that no ban can be entirely watertight. It also looks at decentralised alternatives such as Nostr, where families can manage accounts without third-party digital ID.