By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Children’s Commissioner for England has called for action to prevent children from using VPNs to circumvent age verification on pornographic websites. VPNs, which mask a user’s location, can be used to bypass requirements of the Online Safety Act. This is considered a significant loophole that needs addressing. While the government acknowledges this concern, a spokesperson has stated there are no plans to ban VPNs, as they are legal tools for adults.
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Stop children using VPNs to watch porn, ministers told. Well, here we are again, aren’t we? The familiar refrain of “think of the children” being trotted out, this time with a focus on VPNs and access to adult content. It’s a common tactic, a political play designed to tug at our heartstrings while potentially masking ulterior motives. The core issue isn’t always what it seems.
It’s easy to see where the initial alarm comes from. The idea of children bypassing age restrictions and stumbling upon explicit material is unsettling, but the proposed solutions often miss the mark. Let’s be real, how many kids are actually going to be able to afford a premium VPN? More likely, the kids are going to be using a free one, but it’s not necessarily that easy. Plus, the reality is that the true responsibility for monitoring children’s online activities rests firmly with the parents. It always has, and it always will.
We have to ask ourselves, who’s actually paying for these VPNs? Children don’t typically have access to credit cards, so it’s highly unlikely they’re directly funding these services. So, the focus should be on parents, and educating parents on how to protect their kids on the internet. They have options, from parental controls on devices and routers to simply limiting screen time. The tools are there, readily available, and largely free. Why, then, is the government so eager to step in?
The government is also showing their shortsightedness. They’ve seemed to have just “discovered” VPNs. Is this another attempt at control, a move toward mass surveillance and data collection? It certainly seems that way. If the goal is truly child protection, wouldn’t it make more sense to focus on the platforms themselves? Regulate those engagement algorithms that are constantly serving adult content to kids, even when they’re not actively searching for it? That’s the real problem, the way these platforms track users’ behavior and then serve up more of what they think they want.
Let’s not forget, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this playbook. “Think of the children” has been used to justify all sorts of restrictions and overreach. Instead of addressing the root causes, the government is reaching for blunt instruments that may not be effective and have unforeseen consequences. The government could be better focused on other important issues like stopping wars, the environment, and social injustices.
And what about the potential impact on legitimate users? VPNs aren’t just for accessing porn; they’re a vital tool for privacy and security, especially for journalists in oppressive regimes or for professionals working remotely. A complete ban on VPNs could have far-reaching effects on freedom of information and the security of digital communications.
Even the IT experts know what’s up. A government ban on VPNs would not solve the problem. Users can get around it, either by switching their DNS, or through self-hosting open-source VPNs. The best they could do is apply pressure to internet service providers (ISPs) and the internet providers could utilize methods like deep packet inspection (DPI), which is very expensive for the ISPs.
And if parents aren’t taking responsibility, it’s time to question the nanny-state approach. The solution is to teach parents and to give them the tools they need to keep their kids safe online. If the government is going to spend any money, they should invest in educational programs, or teaching parents about internet safety, including how to monitor their children’s devices, and having a conversation regarding internet safety.
The focus on VPNs is a distraction, and perhaps even a deliberate one. It’s a way to shift the blame away from the real issues. Let’s call out the hypocrisy and demand that the government take a more sensible, and effective, approach. The question is not just about what our kids are doing online but also how much control the government should have.