'No approach is a silver bullet' — UK launches online safety consultation that could see VPNs age-restricted | Tech Radar

Overview

'No approach is a silver bullet' — UK launches online safety consultation that could see VPNs age-restricted

The consultation will close on 26 May, with the government's response expected later this summer.

Details

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Today, the UK launched its landmark children's digital safety consultation — an initiative that could have dramatic repercussions for VPN use across the country.

The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is calling for evidence from parents, industry, and the public to understand how technology impacts children's wellbeing and to ensure online experiences are "safe and enriching."

The survey — which will help inform upcoming government policy — includes questions about whether VPNs should be age-restricted and what impact introducing mandatory age checks would have on the wider population.

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In the accompanying report, the government acknowledges that "no approach is a silver bullet" and emphasizes the need to balance enforceable content restrictions without limiting the "legitimate and lawful use" of VPNs by adults.

The consultation also questions whether social media access should be restricted by age and if "addictive" design features — including autoplay and infinite scrolling — should be banned for minors.

The specific questions regarding VPNs and other circumvention methods demonstrate that the government is seriously considering mandatory age checks for VPN apps.

However, they also show that officials are weighing the potential repercussions for everyday users. For example, the consultation explicitly notes the "privacy implications" for the wider population if age verification becomes a requirement for all.

Circumvention methods: Which tools are children currently using to bypass online safety rules?

Government priorities: How should the government reduce circumvention — increased education, restricting children’s access to VPNs, or other methods?

Universal age checks: To what extent do you agree that everyone should be subjected to age checks to access a VPN if it prevents children using them?

Assessing impact: What would the impact of age-restricting VPNs be on the wider population?

Enforceability: How should the government make age checks on VPNs effective and workable?

Following months of deliberation, today's launch is the most concrete demonstration of the government's interest in restricting access to VPNs. Speaking to Tech Radar last month, a DSIT spokesperson said:

"We recognize that VPNs serve legitimate purposes, including protecting privacy and security online. That's precisely why we're consulting to make sure we get this right – we want to hear from all stakeholders, including VPN providers and digital rights organizations, about how any measures can be targeted and proportionate."

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This approach is mirrored in the consultation report, which acknowledges that "there are many reasons that children may wish to use a VPN." The document specifically cites the "enhanced data protection" provided when connecting to public Wi-Fi and the "extra level of security" for online banking as legitimate benefits for younger users.

The consultation follows a proposal from the House of Lords that called for a total ban on the technology for children. While that amendment was overturned in favor of this evidence-gathering phase, VPN companies have already said they are "open to meaningful dialogue."

However, critics have argued that any policies designed to restrict VPNs could put "vulnerable people in immediate danger" and that such measures are unworkable without an "extreme level of digital authoritarianism."

If you want to share your views on the potential for VPN age checks, the government’s consultation is open for three months, closing on May 26, 2026.

Take part: You can complete the official survey at GOV. UK.

Sign the petition: There is also a petition calling on the government to reject any proposals that would restrict or ban the use of VPNs for children "because of the impact this would have on other VPN users."

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Sam is VPN Managing Editor at Tech Radar. He has worked in the VPN industry since 2018 and has previously written for CNN, Al Jazeera, WIRED, and Deutsche Welle as a freelance journalist. He focuses on VPNs and digital privacy, cybersecurity and internet freedom.

Before joining Tech Radar, Sam carried out research on global digital rights issues at Top 10VPN. His research has been cited by the United Nations and UK Parliament, as well as publications such as The Guardian, Washington Post and BBC.

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Key Takeaways

• 'No approach is a silver bullet' — UK launches online safety consultation that could see VPNs age-restricted

• The consultation will close on 26 May, with the government's response expected later this summer

• When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission

• Today, the UK launched its landmark children's digital safety consultation — an initiative that could have dramatic repercussions for VPN use across the country

• The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) is calling for evidence from parents, industry, and the public to understand how technology impacts children's wellbeing and to ensure online experiences are "safe and enriching