A recent survey has revealed that nearly half of adult pornography users have accessed sites lacking age verification since new regulations were implemented in July. The poll, conducted by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF), indicates that approximately 45% of the 1,469 respondents reported visiting these unregulated sites to avoid providing personal information.
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation is particularly concerned that adults seeking to bypass age checks are being redirected to riskier websites. These sites may expose users to harmful content, including images of child abuse. Dr. Alexandra Bailey, the Foundation’s head of psychology and an associate professor at the University of Roehampton, emphasized the importance of age verification, stating, “Age verification is vital to protect children, and we fully support it. But we also need to recognise that some adults are choosing riskier sites to avoid age checks.”
The survey further disclosed that 29% of pornography users utilized a VPN to evade age verification measures. The LFF commissioned a broader survey of 3,724 adults in November, which revealed that among those who frequented unregulated sites, 39% had encountered uncomfortable content, and 40% stated they would not return to the same site.
Growing Concerns Over Online Safety
The issue of online safety has garnered attention from law enforcement as well. Assistant Chief Constable Becky Riggs, the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for child protection, remarked, “While I wholeheartedly believe that online child sexual abuse is preventable, not inevitable, it’s an issue that continues to grow in prevalence and severity year on year.” Riggs stressed that protecting children from harm is a collective responsibility and highlighted the need for technology companies to enhance the safety of their platforms.
The new regulations, part of the Online Safety Act, were established to ensure that websites offering pornography implement robust age checks aimed at preventing children from accessing damaging material. Following these changes, the AVS Group, which operates 18 adult websites, was fined £1 million by the regulatory body Ofcom for failing to enforce adequate age verification. An additional penalty of £50,000 was imposed for not responding to information requests.
Call for Enhanced Regulations and Support
The Lucy Faithfull Foundation also provides resources for individuals seeking to stop viewing child abuse images or who are concerned about someone else’s online behavior. Their helpline, Stop It Now, can be reached at 0808 1000 900 or through their online platform.
Kerry Smith, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation, commented on the urgent need for platforms to comply with the Online Safety Act. She noted, “It is highly concerning that age verification measures are not being implemented on certain platforms. Safeguards on pornography sites are essential to protect children from accessing pornography, which we know, if viewed at a young age, can normalise harmful sexual behaviours.”
Smith also called for stronger enforcement of the Online Safety Act to ensure meaningful safety measures are in place, including deterrence messaging and guidance for adults seeking support.
An Ofcom spokesperson stated, “Change is happening, and the tide on online safety is beginning to turn for the better.” The spokesperson added that significant changes have been made in the past year to protect users from harmful content, particularly children. Nonetheless, they emphasized the need for continued efforts from technology companies to meet safety standards.
As concerns about online safety continue to grow, the implications of the survey highlight the urgent need for effective regulations that protect vulnerable populations while balancing the privacy rights of adults.
