The United Kingdom might soon mandate that social media platforms identify and eliminate underage users.

The UK’s Office of Communications, commonly referred to as Ofcom, has suggested a strategy that would require technology companies to utilize facial recognition technology to identify and prevent access for users who are under the legal age for social media.

“The approach we are contemplating includes facial age estimation technology, which is currently being developed and has proven effective at differentiating children from adults,” stated Jon Higham, Ofcom’s head of online safety policy, in an interview with *The Telegraph*. “Our goal is to promote the adoption of such tools so platforms can pinpoint underage users and enforce extra protections to shield children from harmful content.”

Ofcom reports that approximately 60 percent of children aged eight to 11 in the UK possess social media accounts, even though the majority of platforms stipulate a minimum age of 13. Many children, predictably, falsify their age to gain access.

“At present, 22 percent of children have online profiles that declare them as adults, since many platforms merely permit users to self-report their age,” Higham informed *The Telegraph*. “It’s evident that kids will misrepresent their age in these scenarios.”

Governments globally are grappling with ways to safeguard children from the more dangerous aspects of the internet. In Australia, for instance, legislation has been enacted to prohibit anyone under 16 from engaging with social media. Companies that do not comply face the threat of substantial financial penalties.

### Related:
– [World’s strictest social media law targets users under 16 in Australia](https://mashable.com/article/australia-social-media-children-ban)

Limiting children’s access to social media could be a wise decision, as multiple studies and surveys have indicated the detrimental effects of social media on young individuals. Mashable has thoroughly documented the connections between social media usage and concerns such as teen burnout and mental health challenges. Although the enforcement of such regulations is admittedly difficult, the potential advantages for the mental health of children might render it a valuable initiative.