The UK government has announced it will tackle the use of VPNs by children in the next phase of its planned social media ban for under-16s. Science and Tech Secretary Liz Kendall confirmed that further measures will be unveiled in July, following a pilot programme and consultation on children's online safety.
Background on the social media ban
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer earlier this week announced plans to block under-16s from accessing major social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter from early 2027. The fate of AI chatbots and online games remains under review. However, the government has signalled a second phase of action next month.
Pilot programme findings
In March, the government launched a pilot programme involving 300 teenagers across all four UK nations. Participants were divided into four groups: one with full parental-enforced social media bans, one limited to one hour per day on top apps, one blocked from social media between 9pm and 7am, and a control group with unlimited access. The results of this pilot will inform the July update.
Key areas for July
Kendall outlined several issues to be addressed in July, including default overnight curfews and breaks from infinite scrolling for 16- and 17-year-olds, AI chatbots, raising the digital age of consent for children's data use, and restricting additional features. However, the most significant announcement concerns VPNs.
VPN action
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. I will come back to that in July in our response to the consultation.'
The government is considering potential age restrictions on VPN use and enforcement mechanisms, which could spark a debate over internet freedoms. However, political uncertainties, including the possibility of a new prime minister and cabinet by next month, may affect the prioritisation of these measures.
