The House of Lords in the UK has voted to ban children from using VPNs. This amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill aims to prevent kids from bypassing age verification systems, primarily those related to online safety. The amendment passed with a majority of Conservative votes, although the government has expressed reservations about the plan.

The proposed ban stems from concerns over children's access to inappropriate content online. The Online Safety Act, and supporting codes from Ofcom, are far-reaching. Critics argue that a VPN ban could negatively impact legitimate uses of VPNs, such as for security and privacy, and may be difficult to enforce effectively, with children finding ways around the restrictions.

The government's stance remains uncertain, as it is separately consulting on related issues. The amendment now heads to the House of Commons, where it faces potential opposition. The debate highlights the complex balance between protecting children online and safeguarding individual freedoms and access to information in the digital age.

Ultimately, the outcome of this legislation will have implications for both VPN providers and young internet users. The government must now decide if the benefits of the ban outweigh the potential drawbacks. The situation is further complicated by the fact that many adults use VPNs, and a blanket ban could be overly broad and difficult to implement.