UK social media ban will push teens to VPNs, illegal content – Telegram CEO

By Adegboyega Adeleye

Telegram founder and CEO, Pavel Durov, has criticised the United Kingdom’s planned ban on social media access for children under 16, arguing that such restrictions could expose teenagers to greater risks online rather than protect them.

Durov made the remarks in a series of posts on his X account after the UK government announced plans to block under-16s from accessing major social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, YouTube and X, as part of new child online safety measures expected to take effect in 2027.

Reacting to the policy, Durov said banning social media for teenagers would simply drive them towards virtual private networks (VPNs) and less regulated parts of the internet.

“Banning social media for teenagers only puts them in greater danger,” he wrote.

“Teens are forced to switch to VPNs — and unlock far worse illegal content.”

Drawing comparisons with Russia’s previous attempts to block Telegram, Durov argued that government restrictions rarely achieve their intended objectives.

“We’ve seen this before. When the Russian government banned Telegram, 95% of Russian teenagers kept using it. They just moved to VPNs,” he said.

The Telegram boss also questioned the UK’s proposed age-verification system, which could require users to prove they are over 16 through facial scans, identity documents or other verification methods. He suggested the measures could raise privacy concerns.

“No law can replace good parenting. Parents already have the tools to limit kids’ digital consumption: parental controls, screen-time limits — or no smartphone at all,” Durov wrote.

“Instead, many parents give toddlers iPads just to keep them quiet. No amount of regulation will fix that.”

He further questioned whether the new rules were solely about child protection.

“All social media users in the UK will have to prove they’re over 16 — with an ID, face scan or bank card.

“Is this really about protecting children — or identifying more people to arrest?”

The UK government, however, insists the measures are necessary to protect young people from harmful online content. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that under-16s will be barred from major social media platforms, while additional restrictions will apply to users under 18, including limits on livestreaming and contact with strangers online.

The proposal enjoys strong public backing, with government consultation showing widespread support among parents.

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