British Pornography Traffic Declines After Identity Checks, But Virtual Private Network Usage Spikes, Reports Watchdog
Traffic to pornography sites in the UK has fallen significantly since the introduction of age-checking measures earlier this year, according to the nation's communications authority. Concurrently, the usage of tools designed to dodge these barriers has surged.
Immediate Fall in User Numbers After Law Enforcement
The enforcement of age vetting on 25 July caused an immediate fall in visits to major pornography sites, such as the most visited provider in the UK. Figures indicates that visitor numbers to this platform in August reached 9.8 million, a decline of 1.5 million compared to the same period in 2024.
In total, traffic to the ten most-visited pornography sites in the UK have now stabilized at a markedly decreased volume than prior to the end-of-July implementation date. Subsequent data suggests this slump in site visits persisted past August.
Sharp Increase in Virtual Private Network Usage to Evade Restrictions
Reacting to the new regulations, adoption of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)âwhich can circumvent location-based restrictions by masking internet traffic through another nationâmore than doubled after 25 July.
Usage peaked at over 1.4 million in mid-August, rising from around 650,000 users before the checks were introduced. Subsequently, the watchdog stated that VPN usage has since decreased, with current numbers standing at around 900,000. It clarified that the volume of regular VPN use is âmuch lowerâ than traffic for pornography sites.
Young People Responding to Harmful Online Content
Elsewhere, the watchdog's report revealed that about 60% of teenagers aged 11 to 17 had taken action after encountering damaging content on the internet. Actions included flagging the material to the site to blocking the person who shared it.
This research was carried out before new regulations took effect that compel social media companies to prevent children from accessing dangerous content, including material related to self-harm and adult material. The most common way teenagers came across such content was by scrolling through a platform timeline, suggesting that recommendation systems were showing inappropriate material.
Ministers Announce Examination of Adult Content Legislation
In a related development, the government stated it would review the criminal law relating to pornography to consider whether it is âfit for purposeâ in the ever-developing online world.
âThe review will look into the efficacy of the existing law in regarding criminalising, for example, harmful portrayals of familial abuse and any types of pornography which promote the abuse of children,â said a justice minister.
Advocates Call For Tighter Online Controls
Advocates for better control of online pornography have called on the authorities to outlaw so-called âbarely legalâ material. This includes content featuring simulated familial abuse or that appears to promote child sexual abuse by using young-looking adults portraying children.
Suggested changes to government bills aim to:
- Prohibit pornography where adults are mimicking children, often filmed in environments like childrenâs bedrooms.
- Broaden the offence of creating an exploitative portrayal of a child to cover material where an older performer plays the role of a child.
- Introduce tighter controls on incest-themed pornography, which studies suggests is heavily recommended by site algorithms.
- Add additional controls on ânudificationâ technology, potentially making it an offence to possess software designed to generate non-consensual nude images.
- Create a new, independent oversight agency to conduct inspections on adult platforms and act on complaints of unlawful content.
The campaigners contend that these measures would ensure the protections that have been enforced for decades offline finally apply to the digital age.
