đ Share this article British Pornography Site Visits Falls Following Identity Verifications, But Virtual Private Network Usage Surges, States Watchdog Traffic to pornography platforms in the United Kingdom has seen a notable drop after the roll-out of mandatory age verification this summer, as reported by the country's communications watchdog. Concurrently, the use of tools designed to circumvent these restrictions has increased. Immediate Fall in Visitor Numbers After Rule Implementation The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an prompt reduction in traffic to popular pornography sites, such as the leading provider in the UK. Figures shows that visitor numbers to this platform in August were 9.8 million, a drop of 1.5 million compared to the equivalent month in 2024. In total, traffic to the ten most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the end-of-July deadline. Later analysis indicates this decline in viewing continued past August. Surge in Virtual Private Network Adoption to Evade Restrictions Reacting to the new rules, adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)âwhich can bypass geographic blocks by routing connections through another countryâsurged after 25 July. User numbers reached a high at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, up from around 650,000 users before the verification began. Subsequently, the regulator noted that VPN usage has since fallen back, with latest figures standing at around 900,000. It clarified that the volume of regular VPN use remains âmuch lowerâ than user numbers for pornography sites. Teenagers Taking Action to Harmful Online Content In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had taken action after seeing harmful content online. Steps taken included reporting the material to the platform to muting the person who shared it. This survey was conducted prior to new regulations took effect that compel platforms to prevent children from seeing harmful content, such as material related to suicide and pornography. The primary way young people encountered such content was by scrolling through a social media feed, suggesting that algorithms were showing harmful material. Government Announce Examination of Adult Content Laws In a related development, the ministers stated it would examine the criminal law relating to pornography to assess whether it is âfit for purposeâ in the modern online world. âThe examination will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to criminalising, for example, harmful depictions of incest and any forms of pornography which promote the abuse of children,â said a government official. Advocates Push For Stricter Digital Controls Campaigners for tighter regulation of adult content have urged the authorities to ban so-called âbarely legalâ material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that encourages abuse by using youthful performers dressed as children. Suggested amendments to government bills seek to: Ban pornography where performers are mimicking children, often recorded in environments like childrenâs bedrooms. Extend the crime of making an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult plays the role of a child. Apply stricter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which research suggests is often promoted by site algorithms. Add further controls on ânudificationâ technology, potentially making it an offence to own tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Create a new, independent regulatory body to conduct spot checks on adult platforms and act on complaints of unlawful content. The campaigners contend that these steps would ensure the safeguards that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.
Traffic to pornography platforms in the United Kingdom has seen a notable drop after the roll-out of mandatory age verification this summer, as reported by the country's communications watchdog. Concurrently, the use of tools designed to circumvent these restrictions has increased. Immediate Fall in Visitor Numbers After Rule Implementation The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an prompt reduction in traffic to popular pornography sites, such as the leading provider in the UK. Figures shows that visitor numbers to this platform in August were 9.8 million, a drop of 1.5 million compared to the equivalent month in 2024. In total, traffic to the ten most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the end-of-July deadline. Later analysis indicates this decline in viewing continued past August. Surge in Virtual Private Network Adoption to Evade Restrictions Reacting to the new rules, adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)âwhich can bypass geographic blocks by routing connections through another countryâsurged after 25 July. User numbers reached a high at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, up from around 650,000 users before the verification began. Subsequently, the regulator noted that VPN usage has since fallen back, with latest figures standing at around 900,000. It clarified that the volume of regular VPN use remains âmuch lowerâ than user numbers for pornography sites. Teenagers Taking Action to Harmful Online Content In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had taken action after seeing harmful content online. Steps taken included reporting the material to the platform to muting the person who shared it. This survey was conducted prior to new regulations took effect that compel platforms to prevent children from seeing harmful content, such as material related to suicide and pornography. The primary way young people encountered such content was by scrolling through a social media feed, suggesting that algorithms were showing harmful material. Government Announce Examination of Adult Content Laws In a related development, the ministers stated it would examine the criminal law relating to pornography to assess whether it is âfit for purposeâ in the modern online world. âThe examination will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to criminalising, for example, harmful depictions of incest and any forms of pornography which promote the abuse of children,â said a government official. Advocates Push For Stricter Digital Controls Campaigners for tighter regulation of adult content have urged the authorities to ban so-called âbarely legalâ material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that encourages abuse by using youthful performers dressed as children. Suggested amendments to government bills seek to: Ban pornography where performers are mimicking children, often recorded in environments like childrenâs bedrooms. Extend the crime of making an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult plays the role of a child. Apply stricter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which research suggests is often promoted by site algorithms. Add further controls on ânudificationâ technology, potentially making it an offence to own tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Create a new, independent regulatory body to conduct spot checks on adult platforms and act on complaints of unlawful content. The campaigners contend that these steps would ensure the safeguards that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.