Andy Burnham, poised to become Prime Minister, has indicated that new rules around VPN usage may be introduced as part of broader efforts to protect children online. This move aligns with the Labour Party’s ongoing initiative, led by Sir Keir Starmer, to enforce a social media ban for under-16s.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall previously announced that updates to VPN regulations would be unveiled by July. A spokesperson for Burnham told Birmingham Live that he is determined to safeguard children by supporting age restrictions on social media access. “Andy recognizes the social media ban as a crucial first step towards ensuring children’s safety online and preventing family tragedies,” the spokesperson said. “The challenge now is to secure bipartisan agreement and ensure the ban is enforced swiftly and effectively.”
Kendall also emphasized the importance of stronger enforcement: “If companies fail to pay fines for non-compliance, we must escalate consequences.”
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Concerns have been raised that under-16s might evade social media restrictions by using VPNs. Richy George, Chief Revenue Officer at IT-AMG, observed a surge in teenagers searching online for ways to circumvent the ban immediately after its announcement. He told City AM: “Within hours of the ban being confirmed, the nation’s teenagers appear to have been Googling how to get around it rather than disengaging from social media altogether.”
Baroness Liz Lloyd pointed out that evidence about children’s use of VPNs remains limited, and currently, there are no government plans to prohibit VPNs outright.
Nonetheless, the government has initiated a consultation addressing the full spectrum of online risks to children. This review will consider potential restrictions on children’s use of AI chatbots and may explore age limits or controls on VPN usage if these tools are found to undermine online safety measures. Additionally, the government is evaluating the possibility of changing the digital age of consent.
These evolving discussions underscore the government’s commitment to enhancing digital safety protections for young users in an increasingly connected world.