British government considers banning Vinted and eBay for under-16s

Will youngsters soon be barred from buying and selling secondhand clothing on Vinted or eBay? The British government is considering extending the announced social media ban for children under 16 to online marketplaces. At the same time, the police warns that bargain hunters on those platforms may unwittingly be funding organized shoplifting.

Risk of abuse

British Culture Minister Lisa Nandy confirmed Sunday on the BBC that the government is seriously considering including Vinted, eBay, and possibly also Depop and Facebook Marketplace in the social media ban for minors. That ban is set to take effect in March 2027 and initially targets platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.