British Pornography Site Visits Falls Following Age Checks, Yet Virtual Private Network Usage Spikes, States Regulator
Access to adult content sites in the UK has fallen significantly since the roll-out of age-checking measures this summer, as reported by the nation's communications watchdog. Concurrently, the usage of specialist software designed to circumvent these blocks has risen.
Immediate Drop in Visitor Figures Following Law Implementation
The introduction of age vetting on 25 July led to an prompt fall in visits to major pornography sites, such as the top provider in the UK. Data shows that user traffic to this platform in August reached 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million from the same period in 2024.
In total, traffic to the ten top pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than before the late July deadline. Later data shows this slump in viewing persisted beyond August.
Surge in Virtual Private Network Usage to Bypass Checks
In response to the new regulations, adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around location-based blocks by masking connections through another country—more than doubled following 25 July.
Usage peaked at over 1.4 million in the middle of August, up from approximately 650,000 people before the checks began. Subsequently, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has afterwards fallen back, with current figures at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of daily VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for pornography sites.
Teenagers Responding to Damaging Material
In other findings, the watchdog's annual study found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had acted after seeing distressing content online. Actions ranged from reporting the content to the site to muting the person who posted it.
This research was carried out prior to new rules took effect that compel social media companies to prevent children from seeing dangerous content, including material related to self-harm and adult material. The most common way young people encountered such content was by looking through a platform feed, indicating that algorithms were showing inappropriate material.
Government Launch Review of Pornography Legislation
In a related development, the ministers stated it would review the legislation governing pornography to consider whether it is “fit for purpose” in the modern online world.
“The examination will investigate the effectiveness of the existing law in regarding criminalising, among other things, harmful portrayals of incest and any forms of pornography which encourage the abuse of children,” stated a justice minister.
Advocates Call For Stricter Online Regulations
Advocates for better control of online pornography have urged the authorities to ban so-called “barely legal” material. This encompasses content featuring incest scenes or that encourages abuse by casting young-looking performers dressed as children.
Suggested changes to legislation seek to:
- Prohibit pornography where performers are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like children’s bedrooms.
- Broaden the crime of making an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult acts the part of a child.
- Introduce tighter controls on familial abuse pornography, which studies suggests is heavily recommended by site systems.
- Add further controls on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to possess tools designed to create private images without permission.
- Establish a new, independent regulatory body to perform spot checks on adult platforms and act on reports of illegal content.
The campaigners contend that these steps would ensure the safeguards that have been enforced for years offline finally apply to the online sphere.
