January 2026 marked a turning point for the internet in the UK. The House of Lords voted to introduce radical amendments to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, effectively approving a ban on VPN usage for those under 18 and social media for children under 16. These measures, adopted against the government's position, aim to block teenagers' access to mechanisms for circumventing content restrictions.
UK PM Starmer Gives Apple and Google a 3-Month Ultimatum on Child Safety