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Millions of ADULTS may be forced to show photo ID to use social media under Labour's under-16 ban, Ofcom warns

Ofcom has identified four age-verification methods — including facial age estimation and bank checks — to keep under-16s off social media from March.
Ofcom has identified four age-verification methods — including facial age estimation and bank checks — to keep under-16s off social media from March.

Ofcom has warned that around 150,000 British teenagers aged 16 to 17 could find themselves shut out of social media altogether because they lack a passport or driving licence — the documents most likely to be required as proof of age.

The regulator identified four 'highly effective' age-verification methods: photo ID matching, banking checks, digital identity services, and facial age estimation.

Ofcom admitted it is 'inevitable' that determined children will find workarounds, pointing to Australia, where teenagers used fake wrinkles and facial hair to deceive AI systems.

Campaigners have branded the proposals 'an Orwellian assault on free speech', while the Molly Rose Foundation warned that the same 'dismal results' Australia experienced are likely to follow here.

MoreThe TimesDigital ID and banking checks to help enforce social media banGB NewsBritons may be forced by Ofcom to show photo ID for social media platformsThe GuardianUK social media ban may lock out more than 100,000 teenagers without IDiNewsHow all over 16s could need ID to use social mediaMetroThe four ways social media platforms can verify ages for millions of usersThe IndependentSocial media ban for U16s is coming to the UK – here’s how it will workBBC News - EducationOfcom outlines age verification for under-16s ahead of social media banCity A.M.Millions face ID checks under UK social media ban as Ofcom warns of loopholesThe IndependentChildren will bypass social media ban for under 16s, Ofcom warnsThe SunSocial media users may have to show photo ID to prove age under Labour ban on under-16s
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