đ Share this article UK Pornography Traffic Declines After Identity Verifications, But Virtual Private Network Usage Surges, Reports Watchdog Traffic to pornography platforms in the UK has decreased markedly since the enforcement of mandatory age verification earlier this year, according to the nation's communications regulator. At the same time, the usage of specialist software designed to dodge these blocks has risen. Immediate Fall in User Numbers Following Rule Implementation The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an prompt reduction in traffic to popular online adult platforms, including the most visited site in the UK. Figures indicates that user traffic to this platform in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the equivalent month in 2024. Overall, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited adult services in the UK have now settled at a significantly reduced level than before the late July implementation date. Subsequent data indicates this decline in viewing continued past August. Sharp Increase in VPN Adoption to Bypass Restrictions Reacting to the new rules, adoption of VPN softwareâwhich can circumvent location-based blocks by routing connections through another countryâsurged following 25 July. User numbers peaked at over 1.4 million in the middle of August, rising from around 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. Subsequently, the watchdog stated that VPN usage has since decreased, with latest numbers standing at around 900,000. It clarified that the level of regular VPN use remains âmuch lowerâ than traffic for adult sites. Young People Responding to Harmful Material In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering damaging content online. Steps taken included flagging the content to the platform to blocking the user who posted it. This research was conducted prior to new rules came into force that require social media companies to stop children from seeing dangerous content, including material related to suicide and pornography. The most common way teenagers came across such content was by looking through a social media timeline, indicating that recommendation systems were showing inappropriate material. Ministers Launch Review of Adult Content Laws In a related development, the government announced it would review the criminal law relating to pornography to consider whether it is effective in the ever-developing digital age. âThe examination will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in regarding criminalising, among other things, harmful portrayals of incest and any forms of pornography which promote the abuse of children,â stated a justice minister. Campaigners Call For Stricter Digital Controls Campaigners for tighter regulation of online pornography have urged the authorities to outlaw so-called âbarely legalâ material. This includes content featuring incest scenes or that encourages child sexual abuse by casting youthful performers portraying children. Proposed amendments to legislation aim to: Ban pornography where performers are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like childrenâs bedrooms. Broaden the crime of creating an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult plays the role of a child. Introduce tighter regulation on familial abuse pornography, which studies suggests is often promoted by site algorithms. Add additional restrictions on ânudificationâ software, potentially making it an offence to possess tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent regulatory body to perform spot checks on pornography sites and act on complaints of unlawful content. The campaigners argue that these measures would ensure the protections that have existed for decades offline finally are extended to the online sphere.
Traffic to pornography platforms in the UK has decreased markedly since the enforcement of mandatory age verification earlier this year, according to the nation's communications regulator. At the same time, the usage of specialist software designed to dodge these blocks has risen. Immediate Fall in User Numbers Following Rule Implementation The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July led to an prompt reduction in traffic to popular online adult platforms, including the most visited site in the UK. Figures indicates that user traffic to this platform in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million from the equivalent month in 2024. Overall, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited adult services in the UK have now settled at a significantly reduced level than before the late July implementation date. Subsequent data indicates this decline in viewing continued past August. Sharp Increase in VPN Adoption to Bypass Restrictions Reacting to the new rules, adoption of VPN softwareâwhich can circumvent location-based blocks by routing connections through another countryâsurged following 25 July. User numbers peaked at over 1.4 million in the middle of August, rising from around 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. Subsequently, the watchdog stated that VPN usage has since decreased, with latest numbers standing at around 900,000. It clarified that the level of regular VPN use remains âmuch lowerâ than traffic for adult sites. Young People Responding to Harmful Material In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had acted after encountering damaging content online. Steps taken included flagging the content to the platform to blocking the user who posted it. This research was conducted prior to new rules came into force that require social media companies to stop children from seeing dangerous content, including material related to suicide and pornography. The most common way teenagers came across such content was by looking through a social media timeline, indicating that recommendation systems were showing inappropriate material. Ministers Launch Review of Adult Content Laws In a related development, the government announced it would review the criminal law relating to pornography to consider whether it is effective in the ever-developing digital age. âThe examination will look into the effectiveness of the existing law in regarding criminalising, among other things, harmful portrayals of incest and any forms of pornography which promote the abuse of children,â stated a justice minister. Campaigners Call For Stricter Digital Controls Campaigners for tighter regulation of online pornography have urged the authorities to outlaw so-called âbarely legalâ material. This includes content featuring incest scenes or that encourages child sexual abuse by casting youthful performers portraying children. Proposed amendments to legislation aim to: Ban pornography where performers are mimicking children, often filmed in settings like childrenâs bedrooms. Broaden the crime of creating an indecent image of a child to cover material where an adult plays the role of a child. Introduce tighter regulation on familial abuse pornography, which studies suggests is often promoted by site algorithms. Add additional restrictions on ânudificationâ software, potentially making it an offence to possess tools designed to generate non-consensual nude images. Establish a new, independent regulatory body to perform spot checks on pornography sites and act on complaints of unlawful content. The campaigners argue that these measures would ensure the protections that have existed for decades offline finally are extended to the online sphere.