The UK government is set to address the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) by children in the next phase of its social media ban for under-16s, announced Science and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. The ban, which will block young people from accessing platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter from early 2027, was outlined by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week. However, the government has revealed it will return to the issue of VPNs in July, as part of a broader response to a consultation on children's online safety.
Pilot Programme and Next Steps
In March, the government launched a pilot programme involving 300 teenagers across the UK, testing four interventions: a full social media ban mimicked by parents, a one-hour daily limit, a 9pm to 7am block, and a control group with unlimited access. The results of this pilot will inform the July update, which will also tackle default overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for 16 and 17-year-olds, AI chatbots, raising the digital age of consent, and restricting more features.
VPNs Under Scrutiny
Kendall stated: 'We will come back to VPNs in July; I have commissioned further research about their usage. There are really important issues to balance here. Many people want to use VPNs for privacy—that is important—but we know that some children use them to get around restrictions.' The government is considering potential age restrictions on VPN use, though enforcement remains a challenge, raising concerns about internet freedoms.
However, with political uncertainty and the possibility of a new Prime Minister and Cabinet by next month, these promises may shift in priority. The government's commitment to addressing VPNs is part of a wider effort to enhance online safety for minors, but the practical implementation and political landscape could affect its progress.
