UK social media ban could lock out 150,000 teenagers without ID, Ofcom warns

More than 100,000 British teenagers may be unable to access social media platforms when the UK's under-16 ban takes effect next year, according to Ofcom, the nation's online safety regulator. The watchdog estimates that around 150,000 16 to 17-year-olds lack a passport or driving licence—the two forms of identification most likely to be accepted by age-verification systems. Without such ID, these older teens could be mistakenly excluded from platforms they are legally allowed to use. Ofcom also cautioned that 'motivated children' will find ways to circumvent the restrictions, raising questions about the ban's effectiveness. The policy, part of the Online Safety Act, aims to protect younger users from harmful content but faces practical hurdles in implementation. As the government finalizes age-check requirements, the regulator's findings highlight the delicate balance between safeguarding minors and ensuring legitimate access for young adults. The coming months will reveal whether alternative verification methods, such as bank cards or facial age estimation, can bridge the gap and prevent unintended lockouts.