🔗 Share this article UK Adult Content Site Visits Falls After Age Verifications, Yet Virtual Private Network Use Spikes, States Regulator Visitor numbers to pornography sites in the UK has decreased markedly since the introduction of mandatory age verification this summer, as reported by the country's communications watchdog. Concurrently, the use of tools designed to dodge these barriers has increased. Sharp Fall in User Numbers Following Rule Enforcement The introduction of age verification on 25 July resulted in an immediate reduction in traffic to major online adult platforms, including the leading provider in the UK. Data reveals that user traffic to this site in August were 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024. In total, traffic to the 10 most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than before the late July deadline. Subsequent analysis shows this decline in viewing persisted beyond August. Sharp Increase in VPN Adoption to Evade Checks In response to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by routing internet traffic via another nation—increased dramatically following 25 July. User numbers reached a high at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, rising from approximately 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. However, the regulator stated that VPN usage has afterwards fallen back, with current figures standing at approximately 900,000. It added that the volume of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than traffic for adult services. Young People Taking Action to Harmful Material Elsewhere, the watchdog's report found that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had taken action after encountering harmful content online. Actions included reporting the material to the site to blocking the user who shared it. This research was carried out before new rules took effect that compel platforms to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, including material related to self-harm and pornography. The most common way teenagers encountered such content was by scrolling through a platform feed, indicating that algorithms were showing inappropriate material. Government Announce Examination of Pornography Laws Separately, the ministers stated it would review the criminal law governing pornography to consider whether it is effective in the modern digital age. “The review will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to making illegal, for example, harmful portrayals of familial abuse and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” stated a justice minister. Campaigners Push For Stricter Digital Controls Campaigners for tighter control of adult content have urged the government to ban so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that encourages child sexual abuse by casting young-looking performers dressed as children. Suggested changes to legislation seek to: Ban pornography where adults are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms. Broaden the offence of creating an exploitative portrayal of a child to cover material where an older performer plays the role of a child. Introduce tighter controls on incest-themed pornography, which research suggests is often promoted by platform algorithms. Introduce further restrictions on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to own tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent regulatory body to conduct spot checks on pornography sites and act on reports of illegal content. The advocates contend that these steps would ensure the protections that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.
Visitor numbers to pornography sites in the UK has decreased markedly since the introduction of mandatory age verification this summer, as reported by the country's communications watchdog. Concurrently, the use of tools designed to dodge these barriers has increased. Sharp Fall in User Numbers Following Rule Enforcement The introduction of age verification on 25 July resulted in an immediate reduction in traffic to major online adult platforms, including the leading provider in the UK. Data reveals that user traffic to this site in August were 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024. In total, traffic to the 10 most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than before the late July deadline. Subsequent analysis shows this decline in viewing persisted beyond August. Sharp Increase in VPN Adoption to Evade Checks In response to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around geographic blocks by routing internet traffic via another nation—increased dramatically following 25 July. User numbers reached a high at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, rising from approximately 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. However, the regulator stated that VPN usage has afterwards fallen back, with current figures standing at approximately 900,000. It added that the volume of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than traffic for adult services. Young People Taking Action to Harmful Material Elsewhere, the watchdog's report found that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had taken action after encountering harmful content online. Actions included reporting the material to the site to blocking the user who shared it. This research was carried out before new rules took effect that compel platforms to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, including material related to self-harm and pornography. The most common way teenagers encountered such content was by scrolling through a platform feed, indicating that algorithms were showing inappropriate material. Government Announce Examination of Pornography Laws Separately, the ministers stated it would review the criminal law governing pornography to consider whether it is effective in the modern digital age. “The review will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to making illegal, for example, harmful portrayals of familial abuse and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” stated a justice minister. Campaigners Push For Stricter Digital Controls Campaigners for tighter control of adult content have urged the government to ban so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that encourages child sexual abuse by casting young-looking performers dressed as children. Suggested changes to legislation seek to: Ban pornography where adults are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms. Broaden the offence of creating an exploitative portrayal of a child to cover material where an older performer plays the role of a child. Introduce tighter controls on incest-themed pornography, which research suggests is often promoted by platform algorithms. Introduce further restrictions on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to own tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent regulatory body to conduct spot checks on pornography sites and act on reports of illegal content. The advocates contend that these steps would ensure the protections that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the digital age.