UK Government Rejects VPN Ban, Introduces Social Media Curfew for Youth
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
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The UK government has decided not to impose restrictions on virtual private networks (VPNs) for 16- and 17-year-olds, despite concerns about their use to bypass social media age limits. This decision comes as Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer confirms a new social media curfew, banning access between midnight and 6am for younger users.
VPNs, which can mask a user’s location to circumvent online age checks, were considered a potential loophole in enforcing age-appropriate online access.