Secondhand shopping could soon fall within the United Kingdom's planned social media restrictions as ministers consider applying the under-16 ban to Vinted and eBay.
Here's what to know
Access to social media platforms, including Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat, will be banned for users under 16 beginning in March next year.
Resale sites are also under consideration, U.K. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy confirmed, according to the BBC. The proposed expansion to resale platforms comes after concerns that messaging functions on marketplaces could allow strangers to groom children.
"We are looking seriously at doing so in order to keep children safe," Nandy stated.
Depop and Facebook Marketplace could also be covered in this ban.
More background
Because its listings involve "entering into a contract," eBay says on its website that membership is limited to adults. And although Vinted is aimed at adults, its terms permit adults responsible for children to create accounts on their behalf.
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Vinted emphasized its existing protections and its "zero tolerance for harmful or explicit content." Direct messaging was "part of how the platform works," a spokesperson said.
The company said moderation teams and tools identify and remove activity that violates its rules.
"When we identify inappropriate behaviour, we take action, up to a permanent ban or reporting to the relevant authorities," Vinted's spokesperson said.
According to the BBC, Vinted has reached 17 million U.K. users, with most activity involving the resale of clothing and other fashion goods. eBay, a long-established global resale platform, offers a broader range of goods sold by businesses and individuals.
Vinted welcomed "open dialogue" with ministers and the regulator, while eBay looked forward to "understanding more and continuing to work constructively with the government," the company said.
Where can I learn more?
The proposed ban raises questions about children's safety online and teens' access to resale platforms.
• A judge has questioned TikTok's $400 million settlement over children's privacy protections.
• California has enacted 13 child safety laws targeting addictive social media and AI.
• North Carolina is pressing its case against ByteDance over alleged harms to children.
• U.K. teens are pursuing income through resale platforms, alongside opportunities in AI and gaming.
• Vinted users are questioning quality as new-with-tags microtrends flood listings.
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