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If someone is mature enough to know what a VPN is and to configure and operate it, then they have likely validated they are not a minor. So in a way, using a V

If someone is mature enough to know what a VPN is and to configure and operate it, then they have likely validated they are not a minor. So in a way, using a VPN is an indirect proof of age.

elashri 2y ago
The demand is of commercial VPN services which provides apps that can be used by anyone. Using social media would be more complicated in comparison. What you say is true if people are renting VPS and provision their own wireguard/openVPN server and configure the client.
bdangubic 2y ago
you might be underestimating the tech savvyness of today’s youth :) though for sure you made me wonder if the solution to keeping anonimity while verifying proof of age may light in something unorthodox like “if you can ___ you must be of age…”
interstice 2y ago
We used proxies to get newgrounds in highschool around 2004, take from that what you will
Peacefulz 2y ago
When I was 12 I was chaining proxies to play runescape at school. With how many content creators picked up a nordvpn promotion, I would be surprised if the youth doesn't at least have a vague idea. TOR doesn't care about the block either, which I'm sure more and more people have become aware of.
chmod775 2y ago
That's a questionable thing to say on a page where a decent amount of users got into coding at around age 13. Sure, tech literacy has taken a massive step back, but given how easy modern consumer VPNs are to use, I don't doubt most would manage.
fred_is_fred 2y ago
You can configure it by installing an iOS app and making an account. We're not talking about running your own.
naming_the_user 2y ago
Er, yeah, about that. Prior to Facebook and pals getting really big and the money rolling in, pretty much every software developer I knew was someone who got into computing as an early teen. My parents got an old hand me down computer and I was writing C before we even got dial-up internet.
GuB-42 2y ago
Kids may not know how a VPN works under the hood, but they are really good (and fearless) at trying out stuff until it works. Also, kids can communicate, and whoever manages to find a recipe that works will spread it quickly.
bdcravens 2y ago
Most VPN services have zero-config apps, other than installing the app and logging in.
- SpaghettiCthulu 2y ago
  And some don't even require you to log in. For example, Proton VPN has a completely free and anonymous tier.
add-sub-mul-div 2y ago
There's a logic to that, but in 2025 we shouldn't still be falling for the pretense that this is really about protecting children.
anonzzzies 2y ago
My 9 year old nephew downloads torrents via vpn.
numpad0 2y ago
"VPN" used in context of current day casual Internet conversations refer to paid Web proxy services that typically offer automagic client apps, not VPN technology itself or its traditional use cases.
andrewmcwatters 2y ago
xB Browser was incredibly popular with children.
eviks 2y ago
Since any kid can download an app and click "connect", there is 0 validation

If someone is mature enough to know what a VPN is and to configure and operate it, then they have likely validated they are not a minor. So in a way, using a VPN is an indirect proof of age.

elashri 2y ago

The demand is of commercial VPN services which provides apps that can be used by anyone. Using social media would be more complicated in comparison. What you say is true if people are renting VPS and provision their own wireguard/openVPN server and configure the client.

bdangubic 2y ago

you might be underestimating the tech savvyness of today’s youth :) though for sure you made me wonder if the solution to keeping anonimity while verifying proof of age may light in something unorthodox like “if you can ___ you must be of age…”

interstice 2y ago

We used proxies to get newgrounds in highschool around 2004, take from that what you will

Peacefulz 2y ago

When I was 12 I was chaining proxies to play runescape at school. With how many content creators picked up a nordvpn promotion, I would be surprised if the youth doesn't at least have a vague idea. TOR doesn't care about the block either, which I'm sure more and more people have become aware of.

chmod775 2y ago

That's a questionable thing to say on a page where a decent amount of users got into coding at around age 13. Sure, tech literacy has taken a massive step back, but given how easy modern consumer VPNs are to use, I don't doubt most would manage.

fred_is_fred 2y ago

You can configure it by installing an iOS app and making an account. We're not talking about running your own.

naming_the_user 2y ago

Er, yeah, about that. Prior to Facebook and pals getting really big and the money rolling in, pretty much every software developer I knew was someone who got into computing as an early teen. My parents got an old hand me down computer and I was writing C before we even got dial-up internet.

GuB-42 2y ago

Kids may not know how a VPN works under the hood, but they are really good (and fearless) at trying out stuff until it works. Also, kids can communicate, and whoever manages to find a recipe that works will spread it quickly.

bdcravens 2y ago

Most VPN services have zero-config apps, other than installing the app and logging in.

SpaghettiCthulu 2y ago
And some don't even require you to log in. For example, Proton VPN has a completely free and anonymous tier.

add-sub-mul-div 2y ago

There's a logic to that, but in 2025 we shouldn't still be falling for the pretense that this is really about protecting children.

anonzzzies 2y ago

My 9 year old nephew downloads torrents via vpn.

numpad0 2y ago

"VPN" used in context of current day casual Internet conversations refer to paid Web proxy services that typically offer automagic client apps, not VPN technology itself or its traditional use cases.

andrewmcwatters 2y ago

xB Browser was incredibly popular with children.

eviks 2y ago

Since any kid can download an app and click "connect", there is 0 validation