Children could bypass porn verification, charity warns

Porn sites must take a “continuous approach” to age verification checks to prevent children from finding ways around the measures, a leading children’s charity has warned.

- NICOLE WOOTTON-CANE

Barnardo’s said children are “too easily” able to access extreme content, including rape, incest, domestic abuse and child sexual abuse while online - something they hope new measures implementing age gates on porn sites will help prevent.

But speaking to The Independent, they cautioned sites must take an evolving approach to the new legislation rather than “remaining stuck on the solutions that are easy to implement now”.

From yesterday, anyone accessing adult content sites such as Pornhub and OnlyFans must verify that they are over the age of 18. This can be done through various methods, including providing bank details, ID checks, or dedicated online age verification services. Sites that fail to comply could face heavy fines through Ofcom, in what the regulator has called a bid to stop an “age-blind” internet.

Becky Rice, senior policy adviser at the charity, said they “welcomed” the new legislation but called on Ofcom and porn providers to monitor any “unintended consequences” of the measures. “At Barnardo’s, we see the harm that normalising pornography can cause children, distorting their attitudes towards healthy relationships, sex and consent,” she said.