UK Porn Traffic Takes a Hit After Age Checks Are Introduced
The UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom) has reported that web traffic to adult websites has seen a significant drop since age checks were introduced in July. The regulator attributed this decline to a decrease in visits to popular online porn platforms, including Pornhub.
According to Ofcom, visitor numbers to Pornhub plummeted by 1.5 million between August and the same period last year, with only 9.8 million users accessing the site in August compared to around 11 million the previous month. The regulator also noted that visitor numbers to other popular adult websites, such as Xvideos and Chaturbate, have decreased by 27% and 18%, respectively.
However, despite the decline in traffic, use of virtual private networks (VPNs) has seen a notable spike since age checks were introduced. VPN usage more than doubled in mid-August, with around 1.4 million users at its peak. Although this number has declined somewhat, it still stands at over 900,000.
The regulator attributed the increase in VPN use to attempts by users to circumvent viewing restrictions imposed by age checks. Ofcom stated that daily VPN usage is significantly lower than user numbers for adult websites, indicating that many are willing to comply with the new regulations rather than using illicit means to access restricted content.
Reactions from the adult industry were mixed, with Pornhub stating that the decline in user numbers was not a surprise and was consistent with other jurisdictions that have introduced stringent age checks. The company has claimed that users are shifting to non-compliant platforms that do not adhere to stricter regulations.
Ofcom's annual Online Nation report also highlighted the growing issue of online safety among young people, with 60% of 11- to 17-year-olds taking action after encountering harmful content, including reporting it to relevant platforms and blocking individuals who posted such material.
The government has announced plans to review the UK's criminal law relating to pornography, aimed at considering whether existing laws are fit for purpose in an evolving online landscape. Campaigners have called for stricter regulation of online adult content, including proposals to ban "barely legal" material and introduce further controls on platforms that host violent and harmful material.
In a bid to strengthen regulations, peers have proposed amendments to the government's crime and policing bill, including measures aimed at removing loopholes that allow adult websites to continue hosting illicit content. The proposed changes would extend existing laws to include pornographic material depicting minors, as well as strict controls on incest pornography and nudification technology.
The UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom) has reported that web traffic to adult websites has seen a significant drop since age checks were introduced in July. The regulator attributed this decline to a decrease in visits to popular online porn platforms, including Pornhub.
According to Ofcom, visitor numbers to Pornhub plummeted by 1.5 million between August and the same period last year, with only 9.8 million users accessing the site in August compared to around 11 million the previous month. The regulator also noted that visitor numbers to other popular adult websites, such as Xvideos and Chaturbate, have decreased by 27% and 18%, respectively.
However, despite the decline in traffic, use of virtual private networks (VPNs) has seen a notable spike since age checks were introduced. VPN usage more than doubled in mid-August, with around 1.4 million users at its peak. Although this number has declined somewhat, it still stands at over 900,000.
The regulator attributed the increase in VPN use to attempts by users to circumvent viewing restrictions imposed by age checks. Ofcom stated that daily VPN usage is significantly lower than user numbers for adult websites, indicating that many are willing to comply with the new regulations rather than using illicit means to access restricted content.
Reactions from the adult industry were mixed, with Pornhub stating that the decline in user numbers was not a surprise and was consistent with other jurisdictions that have introduced stringent age checks. The company has claimed that users are shifting to non-compliant platforms that do not adhere to stricter regulations.
Ofcom's annual Online Nation report also highlighted the growing issue of online safety among young people, with 60% of 11- to 17-year-olds taking action after encountering harmful content, including reporting it to relevant platforms and blocking individuals who posted such material.
The government has announced plans to review the UK's criminal law relating to pornography, aimed at considering whether existing laws are fit for purpose in an evolving online landscape. Campaigners have called for stricter regulation of online adult content, including proposals to ban "barely legal" material and introduce further controls on platforms that host violent and harmful material.
In a bid to strengthen regulations, peers have proposed amendments to the government's crime and policing bill, including measures aimed at removing loopholes that allow adult websites to continue hosting illicit content. The proposed changes would extend existing laws to include pornographic material depicting minors, as well as strict controls on incest pornography and nudification technology.
I mean, come on Pornhub you're not exactly selling water here, but still. Introducing age checks was a good move, it's about time someone cracked down on those websites that are basically just breeding grounds for exploitation. 1.5 million fewer visitors? That's like music to my ears 
Boo hoo, you should've thought of that before you became a platform for the exploitation of minors. And now they're trying to shift their users to non-compliant platforms? Give me a break 
. But seriously though, the fact that 60% of young people are taking action against online safety is actually kind of awesome 
VPNs are like a digital cloak of invisibility 
. It's wild how people can be so tech-savvy but still wanna skirt the rules 
. I get why Ofcom wants stricter regulations, especially with all this online safety stuff 
. But at the same time, it's like they're playing whack-a-mole – introducing new laws only to have users find ways to work around them 
. Can't help but wonder what Pornhub's real motive is for saying user numbers are down... 
like its a no-brainer right? we gotta keep our youngins safe from all this stuff, it can be super damaging to their minds and bodies. and yeah, i get why adult sites are trying to find ways to bypass these age checks, but let's be real, that's just not cool 
. using vpns is like a game of cat and mouse, where everyone tries to stay one step ahead, but honestly, its just not worth it.
I'm thinking the UK's age check law for adult sites is having a bigger impact than expected. 
I mean, Pornhub's user numbers are down like 30% and that's crazy! 
The fact that people are trying to use VPNs to bypass it is just another sign of how desperate they are to get around the rules. 
It's also kinda cool that more young people are taking action against online safety issues, 60% is a big number! 
And I'm all for stricter regulation on those platforms that host violent and harmful content... it's time for them to be held accountable 
anyway it's about time the gov took a closer look at online safety for kids I mean 60% of minors reporting harmful content is wild let's get those platforms to take responsibility and make sure we're not creating another problem by not regulating properly 
.
lol Pornhub is like "hey we knew this was gonna happen" 
but like seriously whats wrong with people? cant they just use a vpn like normal ppl do? and btw 60% of young ppl reporting harmful content on platforms is lowkey scary 
i dont wanna be stuck in a world where u can just click & see whatever u want. its all about balance, right?