The Labour Party government plans new VPN regulations alongside its under-16 social media ban, with details expected in July. Children's minister Josh Mac Alister acknowledged technical options exist for restricting access, though ministers emphasize more research is needed before taking action.

Technology secretary Liz Kendall told LBC that Ofcom requires stronger enforcement powers to ensure companies face real consequences for safety violations. Search data reveals teenagers immediately sought workarounds after the ban announcement, suggesting the measure may prove difficult to enforce in practice.

Baroness Liz Lloyd noted limited evidence exists on children's VPN usage patterns. The government launched a consultation examining various online safety risks, including restrictions on AI chatbots and potential age limits for VPN services that could undermine protective measures.

Kendall acknowledged strong opposing views on VPN privacy versus child safety concerns. The administration commissioned additional research because existing evidence was deemed insufficient for policy decisions. Any regulatory approach will need to balance legitimate privacy interests with the practical reality that minors can easily circumvent age restrictions using readily available tools.