It might sound surprising, but Reddit has started implementing age verification in the United Kingdom. You’re probably wondering how to use Reddit there without submitting personal information, a valid concern given the new Online Safety Act, which has both positive and negative sides. On the bright side, it’s designed to protect children from inappropriate content; on the darker side, the verification methods can feel intrusive.
The UK government’s goal is to restrict access to mature content by requiring websites to verify the age of their users. This verification often involves submitting official documents like IDs or credit cards, and sometimes even facial scans, which understandably raises privacy concerns.
If you prefer not to share your personal information to verify your age on Reddit or other mature sites in the UK, using a VPN is an effective alternative. A VPN masks your actual location and helps you bypass Reddit’s age verification on adult subreddits securely and privately.
How To Avoid Reddit’s Age Verification in the UK: Quick Recap
- Subscribe to a VPN. We recommend NordVPN, which is currently 70% OFF.
- Install the VPN on your device.
- Launch the VPN and sign in.
- Connect to a server abroad (outside the UK).
- Test it by opening a mature subreddit. It should work without age verification.
Why Does Reddit Want to Verify My Age?
If you’re puzzled by the whole age verification drama, you may want to read our YouPorn age verification bypass guide. The Online Safety Act aims to restrict adult content to children. The only sensible way to do this is to verify people’s age through a specific system.
Mature sites that want to remain operable in the country must use the system. Otherwise, they’ll either have to pay hefty fines for breaking the law or block access to British residents to avoid adverse effects. Reddit isn’t an adult site by default, but some subreddits are.
As you know, Reddit is one of the most diverse platforms, with many NSFW subjects that children shouldn’t read or participate in. To clarify, Reddit will work in the UK without age verification. It is only when you’re accessing an adult ‘portion’ that the prompt will appear.
Luckily, you can verify your age and move on. You’ll do it once and never again.
Many people refuse to do it because of the privacy issue. That’s where our trick to bypass age verification on Reddig in the UK comes in. Reddit hasn’t implemented this system for all visitors, but UK visitors are the primary targets. This means you have to think out of the box.
You must change your IP address to another country, which can be done with a VPN.
How to Use Reddit in the UK Without Verifying My Age: Tutorial
This brings us to our detailed guide.
You can use any VPN to change your IP address, but if you want to do it properly, use the best one: we recommend NordVPN. NordVPN has thousands of global servers, a verified no-logging policy, and ample security tools. It’s also compatible with all devices and systems.
NordVPN isn’t free, but a 30-day refund policy allows you to get a refund if you decide to purchase it. Unlike free VPNs, which we’ll discuss later, NordVPN is speedy, offers unlimited bandwidth, and works on ten devices at a time to ensure swift Reddit access in the UK.
Click the button above and snatch NordVPN at a 70% discount for all biennial plans.
Next, download and install NordVPN on your device. Launch the app and sign in with your email and password. You’ll see the dashboard that looks like this:
We clarified that you must modify your IP address to bypass age verification on Reddit in the UK.
To do this, connect to a server outside the UK. Go to the server list and click the country you want. The screenshot below shows our connection to the Austrian server and Reddit, which now works flawlessly and without age verification prompts. We had to blur the screenshot for privacy reasons.
Remember that it’s insufficient to pick any country aside from the UK. You must pick one with no similar laws. At the time of writing, we chose Austria because it falls under this category.
Age Verification on Other Sites in the UK
Since we mentioned Reddit, it’s worth explaining that the Online Safety Act isn’t only about it.
I mean, when you think logically, adult/mature sites are also pornography sites like Pornhub, YouPorn, RedTube, and others? The UK government hasn’t omitted them, and if you go to any of them, you’ll see the same prompt, not with a VPN! So, the solution is identical here.
Accessing restricted content usually boils down to using a VPN.
Connect to a server abroad and you’ll overcome Pornhub’s age verification in the UK. Similarly, if you want to use 4chan, Bluesky, and other ‘blacklisted’ websites, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Swap your IP with NordVPN and get on with your online activities.
Can I Use Free VPNs for This Purpose?
Yes, you can, but now you may be confused about why we recommended NordVPN instead of a free VPN.
Let us explain.
NordVPN is a flagship VPN. Flagship doesn’t mean expensive. It means affordable, but with top-of-the-line security and privacy features. The VPN has no specific faults, and aside from using Reddit in the UK, it works for streaming, torrenting, gaming, visiting the dark web, etc.
Meanwhile, free VPNs are more budget-friendly, but lack the security, privacy, and compatibility of premium providers. Many free VPNs store logs, while others limit your bandwidth, which can be disadvantageous when trying to browse Reddit uninterruptedly.
Our experience shows that free VPNs are never better than paid ones, although they’ve been massively improved recently. Unfortunately for them, premium VPNs also took a few extra steps to differentiate themselves from free options. All things considered, it’s your choice.
If you’re willing to cut corners, go for a free VPN. If you want nothing cut and don’t mind a small monthly fee, opt for a premium VPN. NordVPN is ideal, but you can always aim for alternatives, some of which are listed here. They’re no less impressive at overcoming such inconveniences.
Conclusion
So, how to avoid verifying your age when viewing mature Reddit threads and subreddits?
The most effective way is to use a VPN. Connect to a server outside the UK, and you’ll notice that Reddit works normally, as it did before the Online Safety Act. NordVPN ticks all the boxes as the best overall VPN, not just for Reddit but also for other forms of adult content.
It’s frequently chosen for online gambling and bypassing Pornhub restrictions worldwide. Alternatives like ExpressVPN and CyberGhost are worth exploring if you don’t like NordVPN, but the premise remains. Click the button below to get started. You have nothing to lose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to use Reddit in the UK?
Yes, Reddit works regularly in the United Kingdom. Only adult or mature subreddits are locked behind age verification. You can use Reddit with or without a VPN without legal repercussions.
Can I bypass Reddit’s age verification without a VPN?
Likely not, unless you find a way to change your IP. Users often mention proxies, but they lack the encryption and other privacy features found in VPNs. If you travel abroad, you can access Reddit’s adult threads, but leaving your homeland for this reason alone sounds crazy.
What is the best VPN to avoid age checks on Reddit in the UK?
The best VPN to bypass Reddit’s age verification in the UK is NordVPN. It effectively masks your location, offering fast speeds, strong privacy, and consistent success in avoiding restrictions. Using NordVPN lets you access Reddit without age checks, just make sure to use it responsibly and comply with Reddit’s terms of service.
Is it safe to verify my age on Reddit?
We don’t think it’s particularly safe, as you’re handing out your government-issued documents. A face scan is also not ideal because you’re directly exposing your identity. It’s up to you to decide how you’ll treat your online privacy. If you’re okay with everything, go for it.
Just know that your data may end up in the wrong hands. If you’d rather avoid age verification on Reddit in the UK, you will need a VPN. Remember that the VPN’s added privacy and security will also shield you from other online threats, such as tracking, ads, malware, and more.
What happens if I fail Reddit’s age verification?
If you fail age verification, you may be blocked from viewing adult or age-restricted content until verification is completed successfully.
Can I disable age verification on Reddit?
No, age verification is mandatory in certain regions like the UK due to legal requirements and cannot be disabled by users.
