The UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) came into effect last month, sparking concerns that tech-savvy teenagers would find ways to bypass age verification systems and access adult content. Experts predict a ban on VPNs to be highly unrealistic and even counterproductive.
While the government aims to limit underage access to sensitive content, make it harder for harassers to hide behind privacy technologies, and prevent illegal streaming, experts warn that banning VPNs would push users underground, creating a black market and undermining cybersecurity and privacy.
A 1,400% increase in VPN sign-ups since the OSA came into force suggests that many young people are already finding ways to circumvent age checks. One expert described it as “not gonna happen” due to the impracticality of enforcing such a ban.
The UK’s largest mobile network operator, EE, has launched SIMs for under-18s that block access to inappropriate content, while also offering parental controls and online safety appointments in retail stores.
However, experts caution that banning VPNs would be a lazy approach and could lead to unintended consequences, including affecting legitimate users and businesses. They argue that the government’s true goal should be to educate parents on using existing network, device, and app-level controls to protect their children’s online safety.
The Communications regulator Ofcom has told platforms covered by the OSA not to promote content encouraging VPN use or circumventing age checks, while tech secretary Peter Kyle has confirmed there are no current plans to ban VPNs. A digital petition to repeal the OSA has reached over 423,000 e-signatures, triggering a parliamentary debate on the matter.
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/31/banning_vpns_to_protect_kids