The UK government has announced it is reviewing potential new regulations on virtual private networks (VPNs) as part of its broader initiative to enhance online safety for children. This update comes shortly after the government unveiled plans to ban social media access for users under 16.
Liz Kendall, the Technology Secretary, addressed the issue during an interview on BBC Breakfast, emphasizing the complex balance the government aims to strike. “We will come back to VPNs in July; I have commissioned further research about their usage,” she said. “Many people rely on VPNs for privacy, which is important. However, we also recognize that some children use VPNs to bypass online restrictions.”
The government’s consultation on these rules is ongoing, with a detailed response expected in July. Meanwhile, opposition has already emerged. Luke Charles has initiated a petition urging the government not to move forward with any restrictions on VPN use, citing concerns over privacy and the impact on legitimate users.
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The petition, endorsed by over 5,000 supporters, warns that proposed legislation—such as amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill—could mandate invasive enforcement measures like third-party facial recognition or ID verification. It argues these steps would cause significant collateral damage to millions of users who depend on VPNs for security and privacy.
In addition to VPN regulations, ministers have indicated they are considering further measures later this summer. These may include curfews for young users, limits on addictive platform features such as infinite scroll, and stricter controls on AI chatbots. The government is also evaluating which online platforms would be subject to these restrictions.
As the debate continues, the July update will provide more clarity on how the UK plans to balance children’s online safety with digital privacy rights.