Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Calls for VPN Age Verification to Protect Minors

8/20/2025

25 4

Summary

Story summary

Dame Rachel de Souza calls for age verification on VPNs to protect minors from pornography.
The Online Safety Act requires age checks on porn sites, but users bypass these using VPNs.
A report indicates 70% of children have accessed online pornography, including violent content.
The UK government warns platforms of fines for allowing underage access.
Nearly half of U.S. states are adopting similar age verification laws.

History

Historical Context

The Communications Decency Act of 1996 aimed to protect minors online but faced challenges regarding free speech. In 2023, the U.K. enacted the Online Safety Act, mandating age verification for harmful content, reflecting growing concerns about children's exposure to online pornography. Similar laws in South Dakota and Wyoming highlight ongoing debates about balancing child protection and free expression in digital spaces.

1 of 2

Story summary

Dame Rachel de Souza calls for age verification on VPNs to protect minors from pornography.
The Online Safety Act requires age checks on porn sites, but users bypass these using VPNs.
A report indicates 70% of children have accessed online pornography, including violent content.
The UK government warns platforms of fines for allowing underage access.
Nearly half of U.S. states are adopting similar age verification laws.

1 / 2