🔗 Share this article UK Pornography Site Visits Falls After Identity Verifications, Yet Virtual Private Network Usage Surges, States Regulator Visitor numbers to pornography platforms in the UK has seen a notable drop after the introduction of mandatory age verification this summer, according to the country's communications regulator. Concurrently, the adoption of specialist software designed to circumvent these barriers has risen. Sharp Fall in User Numbers After Rule Enforcement The introduction of age verification on 25 July caused an prompt fall in traffic to leading online adult platforms, including the leading site in the UK. Figures reveals that visitor numbers to this platform in August stood at 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the equivalent month in 2024. In total, traffic to the ten top pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a significantly reduced level than prior to the late July implementation date. Later data shows this slump in viewing continued past August. Sharp Increase in Virtual Private Network Usage to Evade Restrictions In response to the new rules, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by masking internet traffic through another nation—surged after 25 July. Usage reached a high at more than 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from approximately 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. However, the regulator stated that VPN usage has afterwards decreased, with current figures at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of daily VPN use is “much lower” than user numbers for adult sites. Young People Taking Action to Damaging Material Elsewhere, the regulator's report revealed that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering damaging content online. Actions ranged from flagging the material to the site to blocking the user who shared it. This research was carried out prior to new regulations took effect that require social media companies to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, such as material related to suicide and pornography. The primary way teenagers encountered such content was by looking through a social media timeline, suggesting that recommendation systems were showing inappropriate material. Government Launch Examination of Pornography Laws Separately, the ministers stated it would examine the criminal law governing pornography to assess whether it is “fit for purpose” in the ever-developing digital age. “The review will investigate the efficacy of the existing law in relation to criminalising, among other things, damaging depictions of incest and any forms of pornography which encourage the abuse of children,” stated a government official. Campaigners Push For Tighter Digital Controls Advocates for better control of adult content have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This encompasses content featuring simulated familial abuse or that appears to promote child sexual abuse by casting youthful performers dressed as children. Suggested amendments to government bills seek to: Ban pornography where adults are impersonating children, often recorded in environments like children’s bedrooms. Broaden the crime of creating an exploitative portrayal of a child to include material where an adult acts the part of a child. Apply stricter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which studies indicates is often promoted by site systems. Introduce additional controls on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to own software designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Create a new, independent oversight agency to conduct inspections on pornography sites and respond to complaints of illegal content. The campaigners contend that these steps would ensure the protections that have been enforced for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.
Visitor numbers to pornography platforms in the UK has seen a notable drop after the introduction of mandatory age verification this summer, according to the country's communications regulator. Concurrently, the adoption of specialist software designed to circumvent these barriers has risen. Sharp Fall in User Numbers After Rule Enforcement The introduction of age verification on 25 July caused an prompt fall in traffic to leading online adult platforms, including the leading site in the UK. Figures reveals that visitor numbers to this platform in August stood at 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the equivalent month in 2024. In total, traffic to the ten top pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a significantly reduced level than prior to the late July implementation date. Later data shows this slump in viewing continued past August. Sharp Increase in Virtual Private Network Usage to Evade Restrictions In response to the new rules, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by masking internet traffic through another nation—surged after 25 July. Usage reached a high at more than 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from approximately 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. However, the regulator stated that VPN usage has afterwards decreased, with current figures at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of daily VPN use is “much lower” than user numbers for adult sites. Young People Taking Action to Damaging Material Elsewhere, the regulator's report revealed that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering damaging content online. Actions ranged from flagging the material to the site to blocking the user who shared it. This research was carried out prior to new regulations took effect that require social media companies to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, such as material related to suicide and pornography. The primary way teenagers encountered such content was by looking through a social media timeline, suggesting that recommendation systems were showing inappropriate material. Government Launch Examination of Pornography Laws Separately, the ministers stated it would examine the criminal law governing pornography to assess whether it is “fit for purpose” in the ever-developing digital age. “The review will investigate the efficacy of the existing law in relation to criminalising, among other things, damaging depictions of incest and any forms of pornography which encourage the abuse of children,” stated a government official. Campaigners Push For Tighter Digital Controls Advocates for better control of adult content have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This encompasses content featuring simulated familial abuse or that appears to promote child sexual abuse by casting youthful performers dressed as children. Suggested amendments to government bills seek to: Ban pornography where adults are impersonating children, often recorded in environments like children’s bedrooms. Broaden the crime of creating an exploitative portrayal of a child to include material where an adult acts the part of a child. Apply stricter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which studies indicates is often promoted by site systems. Introduce additional controls on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to own software designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Create a new, independent oversight agency to conduct inspections on pornography sites and respond to complaints of illegal content. The campaigners contend that these steps would ensure the protections that have been enforced for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.