🔗 Share this article UK Adult Content Traffic Falls Following Age Verifications, But Virtual Private Network Usage Surges, States Watchdog Visitor numbers to pornography sites in the UK has decreased markedly after the enforcement of age-checking measures earlier this year, according to the country's communications regulator. At the same time, the usage of tools designed to dodge these blocks has risen. Immediate Fall in Visitor Figures Following Rule Enforcement The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an immediate decline in visits to major pornography sites, such as the leading provider in the UK. Figures indicates that visitor numbers to this site in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024. Overall, visitor numbers to the ten top pornography sites in the UK have now settled at a significantly reduced level than prior to the end-of-July deadline. Later analysis shows this slump in viewing persisted past August. Surge in VPN Usage to Bypass Checks In response to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can circumvent geographic restrictions by routing connections through another nation—surged after 25 July. Usage reached a high at more than 1.4 million in mid-August, up from approximately 650,000 users before the verification were introduced. However, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has since steadily declined, with current numbers at around 900,000. It added that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for pornography sites. Teenagers Taking Action to Damaging Material In other findings, the watchdog's annual study revealed that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering distressing content on the internet. Steps taken ranged from flagging the material to the site to blocking the person who shared it. This survey was carried out before new rules came into force that compel platforms to stop children from accessing dangerous content, such as material related to self-harm and pornography. The most common way young people came across such content was by scrolling through a social media timeline, suggesting that algorithms were showing harmful material. Government Announce Review of Adult Content Laws Separately, the government stated it would review the criminal law governing pornography to consider whether it is adequate in the ever-developing digital age. “The examination will investigate the effectiveness of the current law in relation to making illegal, for example, damaging portrayals of incest and any types of pornography which encourage child sexual abuse,” said a justice minister. Campaigners Push For Stricter Online Regulations Advocates for better control of online pornography have urged the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring incest scenes or that encourages child sexual abuse by casting young-looking adults portraying children. Proposed changes to legislation aim to: Ban pornography where performers are mimicking children, sometimes filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms. Broaden the offence of creating an indecent image of a child to include material where an older performer plays the role of a child. Apply tighter controls on incest-themed pornography, which studies suggests is often promoted by site systems. Introduce further restrictions on “nudification” software, potentially making it an illegal act to possess tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent regulatory body to conduct spot checks on adult platforms and respond to reports of illegal content. The campaigners argue that these steps would ensure the protections that have been enforced for years offline finally apply to the digital age.
Visitor numbers to pornography sites in the UK has decreased markedly after the enforcement of age-checking measures earlier this year, according to the country's communications regulator. At the same time, the usage of tools designed to dodge these blocks has risen. Immediate Fall in Visitor Figures Following Rule Enforcement The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an immediate decline in visits to major pornography sites, such as the leading provider in the UK. Figures indicates that visitor numbers to this site in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024. Overall, visitor numbers to the ten top pornography sites in the UK have now settled at a significantly reduced level than prior to the end-of-July deadline. Later analysis shows this slump in viewing persisted past August. Surge in VPN Usage to Bypass Checks In response to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can circumvent geographic restrictions by routing connections through another nation—surged after 25 July. Usage reached a high at more than 1.4 million in mid-August, up from approximately 650,000 users before the verification were introduced. However, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has since steadily declined, with current numbers at around 900,000. It added that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for pornography sites. Teenagers Taking Action to Damaging Material In other findings, the watchdog's annual study revealed that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering distressing content on the internet. Steps taken ranged from flagging the material to the site to blocking the person who shared it. This survey was carried out before new rules came into force that compel platforms to stop children from accessing dangerous content, such as material related to self-harm and pornography. The most common way young people came across such content was by scrolling through a social media timeline, suggesting that algorithms were showing harmful material. Government Announce Review of Adult Content Laws Separately, the government stated it would review the criminal law governing pornography to consider whether it is adequate in the ever-developing digital age. “The examination will investigate the effectiveness of the current law in relation to making illegal, for example, damaging portrayals of incest and any types of pornography which encourage child sexual abuse,” said a justice minister. Campaigners Push For Stricter Online Regulations Advocates for better control of online pornography have urged the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring incest scenes or that encourages child sexual abuse by casting young-looking adults portraying children. Proposed changes to legislation aim to: Ban pornography where performers are mimicking children, sometimes filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms. Broaden the offence of creating an indecent image of a child to include material where an older performer plays the role of a child. Apply tighter controls on incest-themed pornography, which studies suggests is often promoted by site systems. Introduce further restrictions on “nudification” software, potentially making it an illegal act to possess tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent regulatory body to conduct spot checks on adult platforms and respond to reports of illegal content. The campaigners argue that these steps would ensure the protections that have been enforced for years offline finally apply to the digital age.