🔗 Share this article UK Pornography Traffic Declines After Age Verifications, But Virtual Private Network Use Surges, Reports Watchdog Access to adult content sites in the UK has fallen significantly after the introduction of age-checking measures earlier this year, according to the nation's communications authority. Simultaneously, the usage of specialist software designed to circumvent these blocks has surged. Immediate Drop in Visitor Numbers Following Rule Implementation The enforcement of age verification on 25 July caused an immediate reduction in traffic to leading pornography sites, such as the leading site in the UK. Figures reveals that visitor numbers to this site in August reached 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million compared to the equivalent month in 2024. In total, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited adult services in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the late July implementation date. Later data suggests this slump in site visits persisted past August. Sharp Increase in Virtual Private Network Usage to Evade Restrictions In response to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around location-based blocks by masking internet traffic via another nation—increased dramatically following 25 July. Usage peaked at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, up from approximately 650,000 people before the checks began. However, the watchdog stated that VPN usage has since decreased, with current numbers standing at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of daily VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for adult sites. Young People Responding to Harmful Online Content In other findings, the watchdog's annual study revealed that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had taken action after encountering distressing content online. Steps taken included flagging the material to the platform to blocking the user who shared it. This research was carried out prior to new rules took effect that compel platforms to stop children from seeing dangerous content, such as material related to self-harm and pornography. The primary way teenagers came across such content was by looking through a social media feed, suggesting that algorithms were showing inappropriate material. Ministers Launch Examination of Pornography Legislation Separately, the government stated it would examine the legislation relating to pornography to consider whether it is effective in the modern digital age. “The examination will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to making illegal, for example, harmful portrayals of incest and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” said a justice minister. Advocates Call For Stricter Online Controls Campaigners for tighter control of online pornography have called on the authorities to ban so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that encourages child sexual abuse by using youthful performers portraying children. Suggested changes to government bills seek to: Ban pornography where performers are impersonating children, sometimes filmed in environments like children’s bedrooms. Extend the crime of making an exploitative portrayal of a child to cover material where an older performer plays the role of a child. Apply tighter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which studies indicates is often promoted by site systems. Add additional controls on “nudification” software, potentially making it an illegal act to own software designed to generate private images without permission. Create a new, separate regulatory body to perform spot checks on pornography sites and act on reports of illegal content. The campaigners contend that these measures would ensure the safeguards that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the online sphere.
Access to adult content sites in the UK has fallen significantly after the introduction of age-checking measures earlier this year, according to the nation's communications authority. Simultaneously, the usage of specialist software designed to circumvent these blocks has surged. Immediate Drop in Visitor Numbers Following Rule Implementation The enforcement of age verification on 25 July caused an immediate reduction in traffic to leading pornography sites, such as the leading site in the UK. Figures reveals that visitor numbers to this site in August reached 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million compared to the equivalent month in 2024. In total, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited adult services in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the late July implementation date. Later data suggests this slump in site visits persisted past August. Sharp Increase in Virtual Private Network Usage to Evade Restrictions In response to the new regulations, use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)—which can get around location-based blocks by masking internet traffic via another nation—increased dramatically following 25 July. Usage peaked at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, up from approximately 650,000 people before the checks began. However, the watchdog stated that VPN usage has since decreased, with current numbers standing at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the level of daily VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for adult sites. Young People Responding to Harmful Online Content In other findings, the watchdog's annual study revealed that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had taken action after encountering distressing content online. Steps taken included flagging the material to the platform to blocking the user who shared it. This research was carried out prior to new rules took effect that compel platforms to stop children from seeing dangerous content, such as material related to self-harm and pornography. The primary way teenagers came across such content was by looking through a social media feed, suggesting that algorithms were showing inappropriate material. Ministers Launch Examination of Pornography Legislation Separately, the government stated it would examine the legislation relating to pornography to consider whether it is effective in the modern digital age. “The examination will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in relation to making illegal, for example, harmful portrayals of incest and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,” said a justice minister. Advocates Call For Stricter Online Controls Campaigners for tighter control of online pornography have called on the authorities to ban so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that encourages child sexual abuse by using youthful performers portraying children. Suggested changes to government bills seek to: Ban pornography where performers are impersonating children, sometimes filmed in environments like children’s bedrooms. Extend the crime of making an exploitative portrayal of a child to cover material where an older performer plays the role of a child. Apply tighter regulation on incest-themed pornography, which studies indicates is often promoted by site systems. Add additional controls on “nudification” software, potentially making it an illegal act to own software designed to generate private images without permission. Create a new, separate regulatory body to perform spot checks on pornography sites and act on reports of illegal content. The campaigners contend that these measures would ensure the safeguards that have existed for years in the physical world finally apply to the online sphere.