How To Bypass Age Verification Laws in 2025 [Tested]

You’ve probably noticed that websites are requesting proof of age a lot more frequently lately. These rules originated as state measures to protect children, but they’ve since expanded into many mainstream services, including social networks, streaming, and gaming.

The practical result is that every new regulation often means another ID upload or payment check, creating fresh privacy risks for people who just want to browse. No worries. You just need to look at the best VPNs to bypass age verification restrictions. We explain how in our guide.

Can VPNs bypass age verification?

In short, yes, virtual private networks (VPNs) can get around most location-based age checks. VPNs work by routing your internet traffic through an intermediary server, so a website sees that server’s address instead of yours.

If a page is blocked in Utah or Texas, for example, connecting to a VPN server in Illinois makes it appear as though you’re browsing from there, and the page loads normally. Beyond that, a VPN adds privacy by encrypting traffic, shielding activity from internet providers, and protecting data on public Wi-Fi. It also helps reduce tracking from advertisers and data brokers.

VPNs aren’t perfect. Some websites and streaming platforms block known VPN servers, and cookies or GPS data can still reveal your real location. Clearing your browser and turning off location settings can help.

Keep in mind that using a VPN is legal in most countries. However, there are bans in a few regions, such as Russia and North Korea, and U.S. laws apply to providers rather than users.

How to bypass age verification with a VPN (step-by-step instructions)

A VPN routes your internet traffic through a remote server, so websites see the server’s location instead of your device’s. That simple swap can stop many age checks from triggering, though it won’t defeat more rigorous ID-based systems.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using a VPN to bypass age verification restrictions. We’re using NordVPN in the tutorial because it’s easy to use and intuitive, and it’s also the best VPN available.

Step 1: Install and open NordVPN

Download the NordVPN app for your device and sign in. You can use a desktop, phone, or tablet.  

Step 2: Choose a server location

From the map on the left, select a server located in a state or country that does not have mandatory age-verification requirements. Good options include:

• Netherlands (Amsterdam)
• Belgium (Brussels)
• Denmark (Copenhagen)
• Switzerland (Zurich)
• Canada (Toronto)

Step 3: Clear cookies and turn off GPS

Before connecting, clear your browser’s cookies and cached data to remove previous location identifiers. (Here is our guide on how to clear cookies on any browser.)

Then, disable GPS/location services.

Step 4: Connect and access the site

Tap the country you have selected to start the VPN tunnel. Once the connection is active (you’ll see a green ring indicator with the country’s flag), reload the site that previously asked for age verification.

Step 5: Troubleshoot if blocked

If you’re still getting blocked or redirected to an age gate, disconnect and select a different server, ideally one that’s geographically close but has a different IP pool.

For example, if the Netherlands fails, try Switzerland.

Some sites use VPN-detection tools that block known VPN IP ranges, so cycling through nearby servers can resolve the VPN connection issue.

How to enable 18+ videos on YouTube

Restricted Mode on YouTube filters out potentially mature content. It’s optional, but some accounts have it turned on by default through network or parental settings. You can turn it off by following these steps:

1. Open YouTube and sign in to your account.
   
2. Click your profile picture, then select Settings > General > Restricted Mode.
   
3. Toggle Restricted Mode off.
   
4. If it’s locked, sign in with the account that manages your settings or visit the YouTube Content Restrictions tool to see if a network administrator has enabled it.
   
5. On mobile, repeat the same steps in the app and browser versions.
   
6. For supervised accounts using Family Link, parents must change the setting from the Family Link dashboard.

Restricted Mode isn’t the same as a direct age restriction on individual videos, but turning it off allows more mature content to appear in search results and recommendations.

How to remove the 18+ restriction on Google

If your Google account is locked from viewing age-restricted results or services, you’ll be asked to verify your age. You can confirm it in a few ways:

1. Go to your Google account > Personal info > Birthday.
2. Choose Verify when prompted.
3. Select Use your ID or another available option, such as a credit card, selfie, or digital ID.
4. Follow the instructions to upload a clear image of your ID or complete the verification step.
5. Confirm or update your date of birth, then submit.

Google accepts several forms of verification, and photos must show the whole document in color without glare. Once verified, access to restricted content is automatically restored.

What are age verification laws?

Age-verification laws require certain websites and apps to confirm a user’s age before allowing access and were initially aimed at adult-only material, but now extend to social media, gaming, and streaming platforms.

In practice, compliance often relies on third-party vendors that process IDs or biometric data; however, privacy advocates argue that sharing this information with multiple platforms creates new risks, ranging from data breaches to identity misuse.

Beyond the United States, countries are handling age-verification laws in their own ways. The U.K.’s Online Safety Act 2023 has already introduced strict checks, and in France, regulators are experimenting with privacy-first verification systems designed to conceal which sites users visit, while Germany’s framework is already in effect.

U.S. states that require age verification online

According to the Age Verification Provider’s Association, Louisiana led the way in 2023, becoming the first state to pass an age-verification law. Arkansas, Utah, and Texas soon joined, and the total has now reached 25 states, including Arizona, Ohio, and Missouri.

Those now enforcing or preparing to enforce verification laws include Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wyoming.

FAQs

Bottom line: Safeguard your online privacy

Age-verification rules are designed to keep the web safer, but they also collect a significant amount of personal data in the process. Every time a site asks for an ID upload or a facial scan, another copy of that information exists somewhere, raising privacy concerns.

Using a trusted VPN helps mitigate this risk by masking your actual location and encrypting your connection. It also gives you more control over what data is shared as you move between sites. For anyone who values privacy and prefers to skip constant verification prompts, our top VPN picks are a good place to start.