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In your experience are people aware that the under-16 social media ban will result in mandatory ID checks for ADULTS on certain sites?

(23 Posts)
DianneAngel Thu 18-Jun-26 14:26:05

My DS is an IT Security expert. He says that it will affect us on Gransnet as it is a chat site. So be prepared to show your age! hugs

HeyGirl Thu 18-Jun-26 13:44:01

I'm happy to prove my ID if that would keep children safe online. Our ID and financial info are everywhere these days, shops, banks, utilities, travel companies, airlines, etc. The only way to keep all your data private is to stay offline which these days is becoming impractical.

CatsWhiskas Thu 18-Jun-26 12:52:07

NotSpaghetti

The zero-knowledge "token" system is the way you do it.
They use it already in Europe gof some things.

I've just been reading about it and I can't see that it would be viable for ordinary sm sites.

CatsWhiskas Thu 18-Jun-26 12:47:12

NotSpaghetti

The zero-knowledge "token" system is the way you do it.
They use it already in Europe gof some things.

How does that work? Genuinely curious.

NotSpaghetti Thu 18-Jun-26 12:45:37

The zero-knowledge "token" system is the way you do it.
They use it already in Europe gof some things.

CatsWhiskas Thu 18-Jun-26 12:28:26

fancythat

MT62

Nooo it’s their way in ‘through the back door’ to get everyone to have ID.
Of which I don’t agree with & signed the petition against.
Just one way to keep tabs on everybody.

Oh I see.

Here they go again.

And people want others to carry on voting for Labour!

It's not just Labour which wants the internet to be safer.

Usedtobeblonde Thu 18-Jun-26 12:11:55

You should try giving money to family to see how much identity you need to prove.
I am aware this is for money laundering but does it stay with the Solicitors and their agents?
It is done through a third party agency, how are they checked?
I-had to prove the source and amount of my income before tax.
I have had my bank details scrutinised, my council tax , energy suppliers and even had to submit my birth certificate, which is strange as my name then changed on marriage, I haven’t had to submit my marriage certificate yet.
Some of these checks are because at 88 I no longer have either driving license or passport.
Nothing in life is private anymore.

fancythat Thu 18-Jun-26 12:07:54

^I don’t trust any government to keep our data safe, and I trust those who actually have the power to do that even less.
Think how many reports of leaks or companies being hacked into there have been, e.g. NHS, M&S^

Absolutely.

fancythat Thu 18-Jun-26 12:07:07

MT62

Nooo it’s their way in ‘through the back door’ to get everyone to have ID.
Of which I don’t agree with & signed the petition against.
Just one way to keep tabs on everybody.

Oh I see.

Here they go again.

And people want others to carry on voting for Labour!

Mollygo Thu 18-Jun-26 11:58:34

MT62

I do not trust this government. I don’t trust that they can keep our
Our information safe, which could easily fall into the wrong hands.

I don’t trust any government to keep our data safe, and I trust those who actually have the power to do that even less.
Think how many reports of leaks or companies being hacked into there have been, e.g. NHS, M&S

Seems the only way to avoid ID checks is to stay off SM, avoid travelling abroad, refuse a bus or other transport pass, never use a ATM or pay by card, never vote, never buy online, never use a mobile phone, etc.

CatsWhiskas Thu 18-Jun-26 11:54:31

The solution would be for the providers to be more pro-active in their algorithms and the content they allow on their sites - but that's not going to happen in a month of Sundays. We'd have to have a compliant population like China, where Google, including YouTube, is totally banned.

Tuliptree Thu 18-Jun-26 11:52:55

MT62

I do not trust this government. I don’t trust that they can keep our
Our information safe, which could easily fall into the wrong hands.

I actually am incredibly relaxed about who can get hold of any of my personal info because I decided a long long time ago that there is no such thing as data protection in any meaningful sense. If anyone wants for any reason to find out something about me, medical, financial, relationships, I’m sure they can. All they need is motivation, money and connections. And maybe some Russian hackers for good measure.

CatsWhiskas Thu 18-Jun-26 11:50:42

MT62

Tuliptree

Well if you don’t want to undergo a mandatory ID check then don’t join social media sites that may require them. It really is that simple.

It won’t just be for those sites though, will it?

I don't understand how that will be any different from now. Some sites restrict certain content to those who have provided ID, but people can view other content without restriction.

CatsWhiskas Thu 18-Jun-26 11:49:22

It's been the case with the Online Safety Act for some time. Even some quite innocent sites won't let you see certain content unless you provide additional ID. As I haven't provided the ID, I have no idea what the restricted content is all about.

I'm not sure exactly how this new legislation will be any different. It might make it easier for schools to ban smartphones, but it will also mean that they have to change some of their teaching methods.

MT62 Thu 18-Jun-26 11:48:48

Tuliptree

Well if you don’t want to undergo a mandatory ID check then don’t join social media sites that may require them. It really is that simple.

It won’t just be for those sites though, will it?

MT62 Thu 18-Jun-26 11:47:32

I do not trust this government. I don’t trust that they can keep our
Our information safe, which could easily fall into the wrong hands.

Tuliptree Thu 18-Jun-26 11:43:26

Well if you don’t want to undergo a mandatory ID check then don’t join social media sites that may require them. It really is that simple.

Galaxy Thu 18-Jun-26 10:39:23

I think that's a slightly different thing though in terms of blades. I support the ban of social media for under 16s, I actually support the banning of smartphones for under 16s, but there are numerous complex issues involved in this and the privacy and freedom of adults is one of them.

MT62 Thu 18-Jun-26 10:38:51

Nooo it’s their way in ‘through the back door’ to get everyone to have ID.
Of which I don’t agree with & signed the petition against.
Just one way to keep tabs on everybody.

petra Thu 18-Jun-26 10:36:13

I’ve had this already on eBay several times when I’ve bought scalpel blades.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 10:34:39

There are a lot of statements in you OP that needs further explanation and evidence.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 18-Jun-26 10:33:37

I would be astounded if this was not the case

FlowerFan Thu 18-Jun-26 10:32:13

After doing some reading I'm seeing that polling data indicates that many adults are unaware that, if the under 16's ban comes into force as currently proposed, we will ALL need to identify ourselves before we access and post on certain sites, such as YouTube, Facebook, Reddit, X, Instagram, Bluesky, Snapchat and a great many more.

When I first heard of the under 16's ban I naturally thought that only kids would be affected, but I quickly realised that this means that EVERYONE is affected, because how else will the site know if you are under or over 16 ? And that's why, for some sites, we'll ALL need to be face scanned, or provide driving licence details, have our credit card details checked, and so on (not all together of course). All of this is very open to abuse, particularly by the government and cybercriminals. We really shouldn't need to lose our right to privacy.

As highlighted recently by tech companies, there ARE technical ways to protect people's privacy as well as their hard earned civil rights while still checking their age, but the government doesn't seem interested in those.

Any thoughts?