A recent survey conducted by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF) revealed that approximately 45% of adult pornography users have accessed websites without age verification checks since new regulations took effect in July 2023. This research involved 1,469 participants and highlights growing concerns regarding user safety and child protection online.
The new regulations, part of the Online Safety Act, were designed to ensure that websites providing adult content implement robust age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing harmful material. Despite these changes, the survey found that many users are circumventing these protections by visiting unregulated sites. According to the findings, 29% of respondents admitted to using a virtual private network (VPN) to evade age checks.
Dr. Alexandra Bailey, LFF’s head of psychology and an associate professor at the University of Roehampton, emphasized the potential dangers associated with these choices. “Age verification is vital to protect children, and we fully support it,” she stated. “However, we also need to recognize that some adults are choosing riskier sites to avoid age checks. These sites can expose people to harmful material, including illegal content depicting child sexual abuse.”
The survey also noted troubling experiences among users of unregulated sites. Of those who reported visiting such platforms, 39% indicated they had encountered content that made them uncomfortable, while 40% decided against returning to the same site.
Rising Concerns About Child Protection
Assistant Chief Constable Becky Riggs, who leads the National Police Chiefs’ Council on child protection, addressed the ongoing issue of online child sexual abuse. “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,” she asserted. Riggs called for greater action from technology companies to ensure their platforms are safe for users, particularly children.
The LFF has been proactive in providing resources for individuals seeking to change their online behavior. They operate a helpline for those wanting to stop viewing child abuse images or who are concerned about a loved one’s actions. The helpline can be reached at 0808 1000 900 or through their website.
The Online Safety Act established stringent requirements for adult websites to implement effective age verification systems. In December 2023, the AVS Group, which operates 18 adult websites, was fined £1 million by regulator Ofcom for failing to enforce adequate age checks, alongside an additional £50,000 for not responding to information requests.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
Kerry Smith, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation, expressed concern over the lack of compliance with the new regulations. “Platforms need to do all they can to comply with the Online Safety Act, and it is highly concerning that age verification measures are not being implemented on certain platforms,” she stated. Smith argued that safeguards on pornography sites are crucial to prevent children from accessing inappropriate content, which can normalize harmful behaviors and increase vulnerability to grooming.
There is a growing consensus that more stringent enforcement of the Online Safety Act is necessary to ensure that effective safety measures are in place. Smith urged the government to consider more robust legislation to treat online pornography with the same seriousness as offline material.
An Ofcom spokesperson reiterated the importance of ongoing improvements in online safety. “Change is happening, and the tide on online safety is beginning to turn for the better,” they remarked. The spokesperson acknowledged that while significant strides have been made in protecting users from harmful content, particularly children, there is still much work to be done by tech companies to meet the required standards.
The findings from this survey highlight a critical intersection of user choice, safety, and regulatory compliance in the digital landscape. The LFF and other organizations continue to advocate for measures that will better protect children and mitigate the risks associated with unregulated online content.
