Children could find ways to ‘bypass’ porn age verification checks, charity warns
Urgent warning issued over new online age checks
- From Friday, UK adult content websites, including Pornhub, will be mandated to implement robust age verification checks for users.
- These checks can involve methods such as banking details, ID verification, or specialised online age verification services, with non-compliant sites facing significant fines from Ofcom.
- Children's charity Barnardo's welcomed the new legislation, highlighting the severe harm pornography can cause to children, including distorting attitudes towards relationships and normalising abuse.
- Barnardo's urged Ofcom and porn providers to adopt a 'continuous approach' to age verification, warning that children may find ways to bypass initial measures if they are not constantly updated.
- Ofcom stated that the new rules mark an end to the 'age blind internet' for porn sites and will actively assess compliance, stressing that companies failing to meet standards will face enforcement action.