Online face age checks for children

Millions of kids pretending to be adults could be thrown off dangerous sites in crackdown

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON

SOCIAL media giants could be ordered to use facial recognition to check children's ages.

Millions of underage kids would then have their profiles removed from online sites - or the tech giants could be punished.

Watchdog Ofcom will set out the guidance for social media chiefs in spring but any code that is agreed must be approved by Parliament.

Ofcom estimates up to 60% of eight to 11-yearolds have social media profiles. This is despite Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat having an age restriction of 13.