Ministers urged to curb internet porn as survey shows public support for action

UK Ministers are being urged to introduce stronger curbs on pornography, as a survey demonstrates public support for action.

A new survey by People Polling shows 8 in 10 British adults (78%) think porn sites should have age verification, to prevent access by children.

The study, for the GB News channel, shows that only 5 per cent of the public disagrees, and 17 per cent don’t know or prefer not to say.

Support for age verification was consistent across political lines, with 84% of Tory voters and 80% of Labour voters backing the measure.

The government has previously committed to age checks on porn sites, but campaigners fear current proposals aren't strong enough.

CARE, which has spearheaded the campaign to protect children from porn, said Ministers must respond with a range of actions.

A spokeswoman for CARE said:

“This survey chimes with our own representative polling over many years, which also found broad public support for age verification measures on porn sites. Age checks, using existing and tested technology, can prevent especially younger children from accessing explicit content. However, these measures must come alongside a broader range of actions.

“When it comes to pornographic content, what is illegal offline should be illegal online. Extreme porn and prohibited pornographic material that cannot be sold in shops should not be available to watch online. Upwards of 65% of pornography available on mainstream websites would not be allowed to be sold in shops. This legal loophole must be closed.

“To be truly fit for purpose, the Online Safety Bill needs several additional measures. It needs: a definition of pornography as harmful content; robust age verification measures; age checks on porn sites within 6 months of a new law; measures verifying the consent and age of people in porn videos; and measures to ensure violent porn that’s illegal offline is also illegal online.

CARE also points to a growing body of evidence linking extreme sexual content and sexual violence. The spokeswoman added:

“Experts are alarmed at the availability of abusive, degrading internet pornography, and even warn that it is inspiring sexual violence offline. In the recent case of David Carrick, involving grotesque sexual violence, his attraction to violent pornography was noted. This was also true of Sarah Everard’s killer Wayne Couzens, and many other men jailed for sexual crime.

“Schools’ regulator Ofsted has reported growing levels of sexual harassment among school-aged children, with porn also being cited by girls who are the victims of attacks. The idea that our society is not being negatively affected by open-ended access to pornography is absurd. The government needs to address this situation through its online safety regime."

"The UK Government had the chance to introduce age verification measures in 2017 but failed to do so. Children can't afford more inaction. We call on Ministers to engage with CARE and other child safety campaigners who wish to see specific additions to the Online Safety Bill. Let’s make this legislation a success.”

ENDS

About CARE

Christian Action Research and Education (CARE) provides social policy analysis from a Christian perspective. For more information or to request an interview, contact Jamie Gillies | jamie.gillies@care.org.uk