British Adult Content Site Visits Falls Following Identity Checks, Yet Virtual Private Network Use Spikes, States Regulator
Traffic to pornography platforms in the United Kingdom has decreased markedly since the roll-out of mandatory age verification this summer, as reported by the country's communications regulator. Concurrently, the use of specialist software designed to circumvent these barriers has increased.
Immediate Drop in User Numbers Following Law Enforcement
The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July resulted in an immediate decline in traffic to popular pornography sites, such as the leading provider in the UK. Figures reveals that visitor numbers to this platform in August stood at 9.8 million, a decrease of 1.5 million compared to the same period in 2024.
Overall, visitor numbers to the ten most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than before the end-of-July implementation date. Subsequent analysis indicates this decline in site visits persisted past August.
Surge in VPN Adoption to Bypass Restrictions
Reacting to the new rules, adoption of VPN software—which can bypass geographic restrictions by masking internet traffic through another country—surged following 25 July.
Usage peaked at over 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from around 650,000 people before the verification began. However, the regulator noted that VPN usage has since fallen back, with latest numbers at approximately 900,000. It added that the level of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than user numbers for adult services.
Young People Responding to Harmful Online Content
In other findings, the regulator's annual study found that about 60% of young people aged 11 to 17 had taken action after seeing harmful content on the internet. Steps taken ranged from flagging the material to the platform to muting the user who posted it.
This survey was carried out prior to new regulations came into force that require platforms to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, including material related to self-harm and adult material. The primary way teenagers encountered such content was by scrolling through a platform timeline, suggesting that algorithms were showing inappropriate material.
Ministers Launch Examination of Pornography Laws
Separately, the ministers announced it would review the legislation relating to pornography to assess whether it is “fit for purpose” in the ever-developing 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 forms of pornography which encourage the abuse of children,” stated a government official.
Advocates Push For Stricter Online Controls
Advocates for tighter control of adult content have called on the authorities to ban so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring incest scenes or that encourages abuse by using youthful performers dressed as children.
Proposed changes to government bills seek to:
- Prohibit pornography where adults are mimicking children, sometimes filmed in environments like children’s bedrooms.
- Extend the crime of making an exploitative portrayal of a child to include material where an adult acts the part of a child.
- Introduce tighter controls on incest-themed pornography, which studies indicates is often promoted by platform systems.
- Introduce further restrictions on “nudification” technology, potentially making it an illegal act to own tools designed to create private images without permission.
- Establish a new, separate regulatory body to perform spot checks on pornography sites and respond to reports of unlawful content.
The advocates contend that these steps would ensure the safeguards that have been enforced for years offline finally apply to the online sphere.
