UK Adult Content Site Visits Falls Following Age Verifications, Yet Virtual Private Network Use Spikes, Reports Watchdog
Visitor numbers to pornography websites in the United Kingdom has decreased markedly since the introduction of age-checking measures earlier this year, as reported by the nation's communications regulator. At the same time, the use of tools designed to dodge these barriers has surged.
Immediate Drop in User Numbers Following Rule Implementation
The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July caused an immediate decline in visits to popular pornography sites, such as the most visited provider in the UK. Figures shows 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.
Overall, visitor numbers to the 10 most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the late July implementation date. Later data suggests this decline in viewing persisted beyond August.
Surge in Virtual Private Network Adoption to Evade Restrictions
In response to the new rules, use of VPN software—which can circumvent geographic blocks by masking connections through another nation—increased dramatically after 25 July.
Usage reached a high at more than 1.4 million in the middle of August, up from around 650,000 users prior to the verification began. Subsequently, the watchdog noted that VPN usage has since steadily declined, with latest figures at approximately 900,000. It clarified that the volume of regular VPN use remains “much lower” than traffic for pornography sites.
Young People Taking Action to Harmful Material
Elsewhere, the watchdog's annual study found that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had taken action after seeing harmful content online. Steps taken ranged from reporting the material to the site to blocking the user who posted it.
This research was carried out before new regulations took effect that require social media companies to stop children from accessing dangerous content, such as material related to suicide and adult material. The most common way young people came across such content was by looking through a platform timeline, indicating that algorithms were showing inappropriate material.
Government Announce Examination of Pornography Legislation
In a related development, the ministers stated it would examine the criminal law governing pornography to consider whether it is “fit for purpose” in the ever-developing online world.
“The review will investigate the efficacy of the existing law in regarding criminalising, among other things, damaging depictions of familial abuse and any forms of pornography which promote child sexual abuse,” said a government official.
Advocates Call For Tighter Online Controls
Campaigners for tighter control of online pornography have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called “barely legal” material. This includes content featuring incest scenes or that encourages abuse by casting young-looking performers dressed as children.
Suggested amendments to government bills aim to:
- Prohibit pornography where adults are mimicking children, often recorded in environments like children’s bedrooms.
- Broaden the offence 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 research indicates is often promoted by platform algorithms.
- Add further restrictions on “nudification” software, potentially making it an offence to own tools designed to create non-consensual nude images.
- Create a new, separate oversight agency to perform inspections on adult platforms and respond to complaints of unlawful content.
The campaigners argue that these steps would ensure the safeguards that have existed for years offline finally apply to the digital age.
