Tag: Online Safety

Featured Article : UK Decides Against Restricting VPNs

Posted on by Paul Stradling

The UK government has decided against restricting virtual private networks (VPNs) after its own research found that most children use them for privacy rather than to bypass age checks, with ministers instead placing greater responsibility on online platforms to enforce age assurance.

Why VPNs Came Under Scrutiny

The issue arose as the UK rolled out tougher online safety rules requiring websites and apps hosting adult content to introduce stronger age verification. Some campaigners argued that children could simply use VPNs to disguise their location or identity and bypass those checks, prompting calls for restrictions on VPN services themselves.

However, the government decided to investigate how children were actually circumventing age restrictions before introducing any new controls, commissioning research to understand how VPNs were being used in practice.

Why The Government Changed Course

The decision follows research commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) into how children use VPNs and attempt to bypass online age restrictions. The findings challenged one of the key assumptions behind proposals to limit VPN use.

The nationally representative study of more than 2,000 children aged 11 to 17 found that around a quarter (26 per cent) had used a VPN. However, privacy was the most common reason for doing so, with 30 per cent of VPN users saying they used one to keep their online activity private. Just 22 per cent of VPN users, equivalent to around 7 per cent of all children surveyed, said they used a VPN specifically to access age-restricted websites, apps or games.

By comparison, the research found that pretending to be older was a far more common way of bypassing age checks. Among children who had successfully circumvented age verification, 63 per cent said they had done so by posing as someone older, most commonly by entering a false date of birth.

Privacy Versus Circumvention

The findings appear to have played a significant role in shaping government policy. Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan confirmed the decision while speaking on BBC Breakfast, saying: “We decided not to limit VPNs.”

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall reinforced that position in a written ministerial statement, explaining that VPNs have “legitimate privacy and security uses” and confirming that the government would not seek to age-gate or restrict access to them.

The research also highlighted how widely privacy is valued by younger internet users. Overall, 86 per cent of children surveyed said it was important that their online activity remained private, while 81 per cent of VPN users said using one made them feel safer online.

Responsibility Moves To Online Platforms

Rather than restricting privacy tools themselves, the government has decided that online platforms should bear greater responsibility for preventing children from getting around age assurance requirements.

Under the new approach, platforms will be expected to take “robust steps” to detect and prevent under-age users circumventing age checks. Ofcom has been asked to report by October on what robust age assurance should look like for older teenagers, while Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office will also examine how platforms can better identify attempts to use VPNs to bypass age restrictions.

The government has also said it intends to engage directly with VPN providers about possible voluntary measures while keeping the issue under review.

A Win For Privacy Campaigners

The decision has been widely welcomed by digital rights organisations and cyber security experts, many of whom had argued that restricting VPNs would have created far wider problems than it solved.

VPNs are widely used by businesses to secure remote access to company systems, protect sensitive communications, encrypt internet traffic on public Wi-Fi and help safeguard employees travelling internationally. They are also commonly used by journalists, activists, researchers and individuals seeking greater online privacy.

The government’s own research supports that broader picture. Many children reported using VPNs for reasons unrelated to age-restricted content, including accessing services available in other countries, protecting their personal information and improving online privacy.

The findings suggest that attempting to restrict VPNs would have affected many legitimate users while doing relatively little to prevent children bypassing online age restrictions.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

For businesses, the government’s decision provides welcome certainty that VPNs continue to be recognised as legitimate cyber security tools rather than technologies primarily associated with bypassing online controls.

The wider lesson extends beyond VPNs themselves. As governments introduce new AI, online safety and digital regulation, there is growing recognition that effective policy needs to be evidence-led rather than based on assumptions about how technology is used. In this case, the government’s own research showed that privacy, not circumvention, was the main reason children were using VPNs.

Organisations should therefore continue encouraging the appropriate use of VPNs as part of a wider cyber security strategy, particularly for remote working and secure communications. At the same time, businesses that provide online services should expect increasing scrutiny over how they verify users’ ages and prevent circumvention, as regulators place greater responsibility on platforms rather than on the privacy technologies that many legitimate users rely upon.

Tech News : Children Fool Online Age Checks With Fake Mustaches

Posted on by Paul Stradling

Children are reportedly bypassing online age-verification systems using methods as simple as drawing fake facial hair, raising fresh questions about whether current age-assurance technology is robust enough to protect young users online.

How Children Are Bypassing Age Checks

The issue was highlighted in a new report from UK online safety organisation Internet Matters, which surveyed more than 1,200 UK children and parents about online safety and age verification under the Online Safety Act.

The findings suggest that many children already understand how to bypass checks designed to block access to adult content, restricted social media features, and age-limited online platforms. The report found that 46 per cent of children believe age checks are easy to bypass, while only 17 per cent described them as difficult.

One of the more unusual techniques involved children drawing fake mustaches or facial hair using makeup pencils in order to fool facial age-estimation systems. Internet Matters stated that “children demonstrated a clear awareness of how to bypass age checks” and noted that drawing on facial hair was “reported as working in multiple instances”.

The report also found that around one-third of children admitted bypassing age checks entirely, including by entering fake birthdays, using someone else’s account, uploading photos of adults, or using VPNs to avoid restrictions.

Parents were also found to play a role in some cases. Internet Matters reported that 26 per cent of parents had either helped their child bypass age checks or knowingly allowed it.

Why Age Verification Is Expanding

The rapid growth of age-verification systems is being driven largely by new online safety laws introduced across the UK, Europe, Australia, and parts of the United States.

In the UK, the Online Safety Act requires platforms to take stronger steps to protect children from harmful content, including pornography, violence, self-harm material, and certain addictive platform features. The law also requires pornography services to implement what Ofcom describes as “highly effective age assurance”.

As a result, many websites and apps now use facial age estimation, government ID uploads, third-party verification systems, or behavioural analysis to estimate a user’s age.

Internet Matters found that 53 per cent of children had recently been asked to verify their age online, with checks commonly appearing on platforms including TikTok, YouTube, Roblox, Instagram, Reddit, Discord, and Twitch.

The report also noted that many children actually support stronger safety protections online. One child quoted in the research said: “I think it’s good because it keeps us from viewing adult content which is not going to be good for our mental health.”

How Meta Is Using AI To Estimate Age

The wider technology industry is already moving beyond simple “enter your birthday” systems and towards AI-driven age estimation.

Meta recently confirmed it is using AI systems to analyse photos, videos, captions, interactions, and behavioural signals to determine whether users may actually be underage, even if they claim to be adults.

According to Meta, its systems now use “visual analysis” to estimate age using factors such as height, bone structure, and broader visual cues. The company stated: “Our AI looks at general themes and visual cues, for example height or bone structure, to estimate someone’s general age.”

Meta stressed that this “is not facial recognition” and says the technology is designed to place suspected teenagers into stricter “Teen Account” protections automatically, or remove users believed to be under 13 until they can verify their age.

The company is also expanding these systems across Instagram, Facebook, Messenger, Reels, Live streams, and Groups as governments place increasing pressure on platforms to improve child safety.

Why The Technology Still Struggles

Despite increasingly sophisticated systems, the latest findings show that age assurance remains far from foolproof.

Facial age-estimation technology relies heavily on probability rather than certainty, meaning lighting, makeup, camera quality, facial expressions, accessories, and image manipulation can all affect results. Internet Matters also found that some children had successfully used video game characters, AI-generated faces, or edited images to bypass checks.

The report also highlighted wider concerns around privacy and cybersecurity. Some parents and children expressed discomfort about uploading passports, ID documents, or facial scans online, particularly if third-party verification companies are involved.

Others worried that large-scale age verification could create attractive targets for cybercriminals if sensitive personal data were breached or leaked.

At the same time, supporters argue that platforms cannot realistically deliver age-appropriate experiences without some form of reliable age assurance.

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

For UK businesses, the story highlights the growing difficulty of verifying identity and age online, particularly when AI systems are being asked to make judgement calls based on appearance, behaviour, and probability rather than certainty.

Organisations developing online platforms, customer portals, AI tools, or digital services are likely to face increasing regulatory pressure around age assurance, child safety, privacy, and identity verification as online safety laws continue to expand globally.

The findings also underline a wider cybersecurity and governance challenge. Systems that rely entirely on automated trust signals can often be manipulated in unexpected ways, particularly when users actively look for workarounds.

At the same time, the growing use of facial analysis, behavioural monitoring, and AI-driven verification is likely to increase scrutiny around privacy, biometric data handling, transparency, and UK GDPR compliance.

The main lesson here for businesses is that safety technology alone rarely solves behavioural problems completely. Effective online protection increasingly depends on combining technical controls with education, parental involvement, platform accountability, and realistic expectations about how people actually behave online.

Tech News : Social Media Health Findings

Posted on by Paul Stradling

A new study from the University of British Columbia (UBC) has found that it’s how young people use social media, not how long they use it, that matters most in relation to their mental health.

Challenging Common Beliefs About Social Media Use

The groundbreaking study, led by psychology professor Dr. Amori Mikami, has challenged widespread assumptions about social media and mental health. Contrary to the belief that time spent online is the key factor, the research reveals that how young people use social media has a far greater impact on their well-being.

The study found that intentional, mindful engagement with social media can significantly improve mental health, reducing the negative effects often linked to excessive use. Published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, the findings may provide valuable insights for individuals, businesses, and social media platforms looking to foster healthier online habits.

How The Study Worked

The study, involving 393 Canadian young adults aged 17 to 29, explored two approaches to modifying social media habits, i.e. abstinence and intentional use. Participants were divided into three groups:

1. Control Group: No changes to their usual social media habits.

2. Abstinence Group: Encouraged to stop using social media entirely.

3. Tutorial Group: Coached to use social media more thoughtfully by fostering meaningful interactions and avoiding harmful comparisons.

Over six weeks, the participants’ social media behaviours were tracked using self-reports and smartphone monitoring, while their mental health outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and loneliness, were assessed.

The Key Findings

The study revealed that both the abstinence and tutorial groups experienced mental health benefits compared to the control group, but in different ways. For example, the study revealed that:

– Abstinence reduced anxiety and depression. Those who abstained entirely saw the largest decreases in symptoms of anxiety and depression. This was attributed to a decline in social comparison and the pressures of self-presentation.

– Intentional use combated loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO). The tutorial group, who were coached to prioritise meaningful online interactions, reported reduced feelings of loneliness and FOMO. Unlike the abstinence group, these participants still engaged with social media but in a way that supported their mental health.

Interestingly, while both approaches reduced social comparisons, the tutorial group’s method of selectively following and muting accounts proved effective in building a healthier online environment.

14:37 04/12/2024Why These Results Matter

One important finding of the study was that quitting social media altogether isn’t the only path to better mental health. For example, by adopting intentional practices, such as unfollowing accounts that trigger negative feelings and actively engaging with supportive friends, users can reap the benefits of connectivity without falling into harmful patterns.

The study’s leader, Dr. Mikami, highlighted the practical nature of these changes, saying: “For many people, quitting social media isn’t realistic. But curating a more positive experience is a viable way to support mental well-being.”

These findings also carry significant implications for businesses that rely on social media advertising. With users becoming increasingly aware of their online habits, businesses may need to reconsider how they engage with audiences. Content that fosters positive interactions and avoids triggering negative self-comparisons could become more effective in maintaining consumer trust and loyalty.

What About Social Media Companies?

Social media platforms are under growing pressure to address their impact on mental health. The UBC’s research highlights the need for features that promote healthier usage, such as tools for muting harmful content or encouraging active, meaningful interactions.

Platforms like Instagram and Facebook could also benefit from transparency about curated content. For example, promoting the idea that most posts represent highly filtered versions of reality might help users avoid damaging comparisons.

Australia’s Social Media Ban for Under-16s

The findings arrive as global governments grapple with the implications of social media on young users. Notably, the Australian Senate has just passed legislation banning social media use for children under 16. The move reflects growing concern over the psychological impact of early and unchecked access to social platforms.

While Australia’s ban seeks to address potential harms by restricting access, UBC’s research offers a complementary perspective, i.e. that education and intentional usage might achieve similar, if not better, outcomes without requiring full abstinence. Together, these approaches could shape future policies and intervention strategies worldwide.

The Bigger Picture

The UBC study provides a balanced view, showing that social media is neither inherently harmful nor entirely beneficial; rather, its impact depends largely on how it is used. With 81 per cent of young adults in North America regularly using social media, and platforms like Instagram and Facebook seeing significant growth during the pandemic, these insights are timely.

The research also challenges the notion of “digital detoxes” as the sole solution to mental health issues. Instead, it calls for a shift in perspective, encouraging users to actively shape their online experiences rather than retreat from them entirely.

Dr. Mikami summarised the findings, saying: “For young people, it’s not about logging off—it’s about logging on with intention.”

What Does This Mean For Your Business?

The findings from the UBC study show that the relationship between social media and mental health is more nuanced than many people thought. Far from being a one-dimensional issue, the impact of social media use appears to depend on the quality of engagement rather than the quantity of time spent online. This shift in perspective challenges the prevailing belief that limiting screen time is the only way to improve well-being. Instead, it opens the door to alternative strategies that allow users to maintain their online presence while fostering healthier habits.

For individuals, the message is clear: curating a positive online experience by actively managing who they follow and how they interact can reduce feelings of anxiety, loneliness, and FOMO. It is a practical and attainable solution, especially for those who rely on social media for personal or professional connections.

While features such as muting, unfollowing, and transparency about curated content already exist, their effectiveness depends on widespread awareness and adoption. Platforms must, therefore, actively promote tools that encourage mindful use and consider designing new features to enhance meaningful interactions. This shift could help address growing concerns about the negative effects of social media, particularly among younger users.

The study’s insights also resonate with broader policy discussions, such as Australia’s recent decision to ban social media use for those under 16 without parental consent. While such measures aim to mitigate risks, the UBC findings suggest that education on intentional use could be equally, if not more, effective.

The research, therefore, reframes the debate on social media, moving beyond the binary of “good” or “bad” usage. For a generation deeply entwined with digital technology, this perspective offers hope that social media can be a tool for connection and growth rather than a source of stress and comparison.