Ministers weigh ban on under-16s at resale sites

Online resale platforms are processing millions of transactions for secondhand goods, but a new regulatory threat looms over the direct messaging features that facilitate those sales.

The UK government is preparing to extend its ban on under-16s using social media to include online marketplaces, according to reports from the Sunday Times. Ministers are considering this move in response to concerns that private messaging functions on sites like Depop, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace have become a primary channel for child exploitation.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated on Sunday that the government is looking seriously at expanding the age restrictions. It is understood that the regulations have been sent for cabinet signoff this week, with Nandy expected to present them to parliament in December. This potential rule change would force platforms with lower age thresholds, such as Vinted, to implement strict age verification systems to limit access for younger users.

The push for regulation follows numerous accounts from young sellers regarding unwanted sexual attention. Lucy, who started reselling clothes on Depop at age 15, described an interaction where a buyer raised a £10 offer to £30 with the note, If you include your pants I’ll pay more. She said the exchange made her feel awful. Lucy also noted that images of herself from when she was 17 were being screenshotted and shared on Reddit pages by men who found the posts.

Other users have reported more invasive tactics. Hannah, who lists her children’s items on Vinted, received a message from a user with a male handle asking if her daughter was naked while wearing a swimming costume. She described the exchange as disgusting and disturbing. The Children’s Society has reported that some young users are increasingly asked for indecent photos in exchange for money or gifts. Additionally, some photos of young users posted on these platforms have been manipulated using AI to create nude deepfakes without consent.

Current platform rules already restrict access, but Ofcom found that 15 percent of eight to 14-year-olds use Vinted each month. Vinted states that minors can only access the site under the supervision of adult account holders, while Depop requires users to be 13 or over to set up an account. However, reports suggest some children bypass these checks to access age-restricted services.

Campaigners warn that a blanket ban could exclude children from the internet entirely. Karen Garland, head of policy at the Marie Collins Foundation, said the sector needs spaces that are safer by design, implying that extending a ban into other digital spaces may not be the optimal route. Lucy expressed a similar conflict, noting it is a shame because very young girls from different backgrounds may really need the money from selling clothes. She acknowledged that the risk of sexualized images circulating online does not end at 18.

Platform representatives have outlined their current safeguards. A Vinted spokesperson said the company uses dedicated moderation teams and detection tools to remove harmful content, taking action up to a permanent ban or reporting to authorities when inappropriate behavior is identified. An eBay spokesperson emphasized policies that encourage users to keep conversations on the platform and avoid sharing personal contact details. Depop stated that using someone’s images without permission violates its terms of service, and the company maintains controls to protect its community.