'It's so easy to lie': A fifth of children use fake age on social media

A recent survey conducted by Ofcom, the UK media regulator, has revealed a concerning trend among children using social media. The survey found that approximately 22% of children aged between eight and 17 are misrepresenting their ages by claiming to be 18 or older on various social media platforms. This behavior poses significant risks, as it allows children to access potentially harmful content that is not suitable for their age group. The Online Safety Act (OSA), which is set to be enforced in 2025, mandates that social media companies implement stricter age verification measures to protect young users. Ofcom has issued a warning to these companies, stating that they must take substantial steps to comply with the new regulations or face potential penalties. Ian Mccrae, the Director of Market Intelligence at Ofcom, emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that 2025 will be a pivotal year for online safety. He stated that Ofcom is prepared to take action against companies that fail to adhere to the OSA, which includes the possibility of imposing fines amounting to 10% of a company's global revenue. During a discussion with teenagers at Rosshall Academy in Glasgow, it became evident that many young users find it easy to bypass age restrictions on social media. A 15-year-old student named Myley shared her experience, saying, 'It’s just so easy to lie about your age. ' She explained that while she enters her actual birth date, she simply scrolls back ten years when it comes to the year. Another student, Haniya, echoed this sentiment, stating, 'There’s no verification, they don’t ask for ID, they don’t ask for anything. ' This lack of effective age verification was further demonstrated when BBC News created accounts on several major platforms, entering an age of over 18 without any proof of identity being requested. Ofcom has made it clear that this practice must change in the near future, as self-declaration of age is insufficient for ensuring the safety of children online. The issue of children being exposed to harmful content online has gained significant attention, particularly following the tragic deaths of teenagers Molly Russell and Brianna Ghey. These incidents prompted the previous government to enact the Online Safety Act, which will require social media platforms to implement what Ofcom describes as 'highly effective age assurance' starting in July 2025. While Ofcom has not yet specified the exact technologies that should be used for age verification, they are currently testing various systems in their laboratories and plan to provide more information in the coming year. The Molly Rose Foundation, established in memory of Molly Russell, expressed deep concern over the survey findings, labeling them as 'incredibly shocking. ' The foundation highlighted that the ease with which children can circumvent current age checks means that many will remain unprotected from harmful content related to suicide and self-harm when the new regulations come into effect. In response to the growing concerns, the BBC reached out to several popular social media platforms frequented by children and young people in the UK for their comments. TikTok stated, 'Every day we remove thousands of suspected underage accounts. ' The platform also mentioned that they are exploring new machine learning technologies to enhance their efforts in age verification. Additionally, TikTok is co-leading an initiative aimed at developing industry-wide age assurance approaches that prioritize safety and respect for young people's rights. However, both Snapchat and Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook, declined to provide statements. X, formerly known as Twitter, did not respond to the BBC's request for comment. The UK government has faced increasing pressure to strengthen the Online Safety Act, especially in light of recent developments in Australia, where the parliament passed a law aimed at enhancing online safety for children. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has previously expressed his support for such measures, indicating a growing recognition of the need for stronger protections for young users in the digital landscape.