UK Social Media Ban May Lock Out More Than 100,000 Teens Without ID

Under the UK's planned social media ban, more than 100,000 British teenagers aged 16 and 17 could initially be locked out of social media because they lack a passport or driving license that may be needed as a fallback for age verification. The Guardian reports: Ofcom, the UK's online watchdog, said about 150,000 16- to 17-year-olds do not own a passport or driving licence, which are likely to be needed to access age-restricted platforms. The Australia-style ban on under-16s accessing social media services, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, is due to come into force next spring. The head of Ofcom, Melanie Dawes, said "motivated children" would seek to bypass the restrictions, as has happened in Australia.