Reddit has started rolling out an age verification system for users in the United Kingdom to meet new requirements under the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA). From now on, users will need to verify their age before accessing certain mature content on the platform.
The process involves uploading either a selfie or a government-issued ID. Reddit says the verification is managed by a third-party service called Persona, which will not have access to Reddit user data and will delete any submitted photos within seven days. Reddit itself will only keep information such as users’ birthdates and verification status, so repeat verifications will not be needed.
The new policy aims to block under-18s from viewing content considered harmful or inappropriate for minors. This includes violent material, sexually explicit content, and posts that may promote harmful ideas like despair or hopelessness.
Reddit’s move follows a wider push from UK regulators to better protect children online. The country’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has said that these measures are comparable to restrictions on products like alcohol, tobacco, and gambling.
“The UK’s online safety rules are coming into force and change is happening,” Ofcom said in a statement. “Now, children will be better protected from online material that’s not appropriate for them, while adults’ rights to access legal content are preserved.”
According to Ofcom, Reddit was the fastest-growing large social media platform in the UK last year, with a 47% increase in adult user reach in 2024.
Similar age verification policies are already being adopted by other social media platforms, such as Bluesky. Reddit has also said that more countries could see age verification introduced in the future, and it is currently offering users a global option to submit their birthdates voluntarily to help manage content and advertising.
Additionally, Reddit hinted at plans to check if users are human or AI, as part of efforts to tackle the growing presence of bots on the platform. Details about this initiative are expected to be announced later.
