The UK's new Online Safety Act has increased VPN use, as websites introduce stricter age restrictions to comply with the law. Popular platforms such as Reddit and Pornhub are either blocking minors or adding age verification, pushing many young users to turn to free VPNs to bypass the rules.

In the days following the Act's enforcement on 25 July, five of the ten most-downloaded free apps in the UK were VPNs.

However, cybersecurity experts warn that unvetted free VPNs can pose serious risks, with some selling user data or containing malware.

Using a VPN means routing all your internet traffic through an external server, effectively handing over access to your browsing data.

While reputable providers like Proton VPN offer safe free tiers supported by paid plans, lesser-known services often lack transparency and may exploit users for profit.

Consumers are urged to check for clear privacy policies, audited security practices and credible business information before using a VPN. Trusted options for safer browsing include Proton VPN, TunnelBear, Windscribe, and hide.me.