VPNs for Kids: A Dangerous Shortcut to Online Harms
I often discuss with you the importance of keeping children safe online, so you might think that a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a no-brainer security tool that everyone should use to protect themselves. As with everything, though, there is the light and then there is the dark and it comes with its own risks and dangers that you need to be aware of.
They can be used to bypass the requirements of the Online Safety Act, which mandated platforms with certain adult content to start checking the age of users and have since become the most downloaded app on the Apple App Store in the UK1
I plan to give you all the information you need to understand them, but also the risks that they expose children to and hopefully by the end of this post, you will be in a better position to discuss the issues with your child.
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A VPN, or Virtual Private Network2, is an application that creates a private, secure tunnel between a device and the internet. It works by encrypting your internet connection and masking your real location or IP address, routing your online traffic through a server, often located in a different country. This makes it harder for others, like internet service providers (ISPs), hackers, or advertisers, to see your online activity or pinpoint your exact location. For adults, VPNs can be beneficial for protecting privacy, securing sensitive information, and accessing geo-restricted content legally. Think of it as the way you manage to watch the BBC or Sky whilst you are abroad on holiday.
As I have mentioned previously, VPNs offer many safety and privacy benefits, but they can also pose significant risks for children, as by their very nature, they can be used to bypass established safety measures. If you think the youth of today are not smart enough to know this, then you haven’t been listening to me hard enough over the years! Some of them are seasoned security professionals before leaving the womb these days 👶
Here are some of the risks & Dangers to be aware of:
Bypassing Parental Controls and School Filters:
VPNs enable children to bypass parental controls such as screen time limits, blocked games, social media restrictions, and website filters. For example, a child can use a VPN to make their device appear to be in a different time zone, effectively extending screen time past bedtime.
Similarly, students can use personal VPNs to get around school firewalls and content restrictions, accessing inappropriate content or websites that are otherwise blocked on the school's network.
Exposure to Harmful or Inappropriate Content:
By circumventing age restrictions and safety filters, VPNs can expose children to online harms, including pornography, violent content, and other age-inappropriate material that would typically be blocked.
As mentioned in my introduction above, the UK's Online Safety Act3, which mandates age checks for certain adult content, has seen a dramatic spike in VPN downloads as users, including children, turn to them to bypass these restrictions. This has led to calls from authorities, like the Children's Commissioner for England, to implement age verification on VPNs to prevent children from accessing harmful content.
False Sense of Anonymity and Data Tracking Risks:
Whilst a VPN hides a user's IP address, it does not guarantee true anonymity. Platforms can still link activity to a user profile, and some VPN providers, particularly "free" ones, may track user data or sell browsing information to advertisers. This can create a false sense of security, potentially leading young people to take unnecessary risks online that can come back to bite them in the future.
Security Threats from Untrustworthy and Free VPNs:
Free VPNs are particularly risky and should be avoided. They might:
Contain malware or viruses that can harm devices or compromise privacy.
Track activity and misuse user data, which defeats the purpose of privacy.
Exposes children to unwanted advertisements.
Even turn devices into a gateway for cybercrime, as seen with VPNs that sell access to users' home internet connections.
Parents and teachers should be wary of VPNs with flashy or generic names like "Turbo VPN" or "Super VPN," cartoon animal icons, overused symbols (lightning bolts, shields, keys), poor design, or a lack of clear company information, privacy policies, or support. Check reputable review sites before downloading or registering for anything.
Untrustworthy VPNs might also request unnecessary permissions on a device, such as access to contacts, camera, microphone, or text messages, which are unrelated to their core function and should be a red flag.
Increased Secrecy and Monitoring Difficulty:
VPNs complicate monitoring efforts, making it harder for parents and schools to keep track of a child's online behaviour. Children as young as eight or nine may be aware of VPNs and can hide them on devices to avoid detection. This increased secrecy makes it more difficult to understand what children are doing online.
It can be tricky to spot VPN use, but some indicators to watch out for are:
Previously blocked apps or websites suddenly become accessible.
Parental controls or filters stop working as expected.
Browsing history is missing or doesn’t match expected usage.
Your child becomes more secretive about their devices or time online.
Unexpected or unfamiliar apps appear on their device, especially ones with suspicious names or icons.
On iPhones, you can check
Settings > General > VPNOn Android,
Settings > Network & Internet > VPN
Blocking VPNs entirely can be difficult; they are also a legitimate tool for many; therefore, a balanced approach combining education, clear policies, parental involvement, and technical controls is essential. This helps ensure VPNs serve their intended protective role without enabling unsafe behaviours.
The government thought that introducing age verification would solve the problem, but as you can see, it just brings new problems and now they are discussing using age verification for VPNs……….Where does it end? How are we supposed to deal with the issue effectively? Well, a good starting point is one that I have banged on about to you for years now!
Open & honest communication with children about online safety, why certain content is restricted, and the risks of untrustworthy apps is extremely important. Regularly checking devices, using parental controls to restrict app downloads, and setting clear family rules about internet use can also help manage risks.
As always, thank you for your support. Please share this across your social media, and if you do have any comments, questions, or concerns, then feel free to reach out to me here or on BlueSky, as I am always happy to spend some time helping to protect children online.
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https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn72ydj70g5o
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-35328636
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer