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Porn Sites to Introduce Age Checks to Protect Children Online
Major UK porn sites like Pornhub will require “highly effective” age verification checks by 25 July to prevent under-18s from accessing harmful content.
In a landmark move to better protect children online, major pornography platforms including Pornhub, Stripchat, and Redtube will introduce “highly effective” age verification systems by 25 July 2025, as mandated by Ofcom under the Online Safety Act (OSA).
These age assurance measures aim to stop under-18s from easily accessing harmful pornographic content online. A longstanding concern among safeguarding organisations, educators, and children’s charities.
Ofcom’s announcement comes alongside concerning new data showing that 8% of 8–14-year-olds in the UK have visited online porn sites within a month. With the figures rising to 19% of boys aged 13–14. Research consistently links early exposure to pornography with increased risks of sexual harassment, harmful sexual behaviours, and unhealthy attitudes towards relationships.
What Do These New Age Checks Involve?
To comply with the OSA, platforms must implement “highly effective” methods. They must accurately determine a user’s age without compromising data privacy for adults. These checks may include:
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Credit card verification
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Open banking methods
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AI-based facial age estimation
Platforms must also ensure that the checks do not block legal adult access or risk storing users’ personal data insecurely. These measures are regulated by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and must comply with UK data protection laws.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), NSPCC, Safeline, and other organisations all welcomed the announcement as a long-overdue milestone in protecting children’s wellbeing.
“Exposure to pornography at a young age can normalise harmful behaviours and make children more vulnerable to grooming and exploitation.” Said Derek Ray-Hill of the IWF.
“Age checks are essential, but enforcement is equally important.” Added Rani Govender, NSPCC’s Online Safety Policy Manager.
A Safeguarding Perspective
Safeline’s Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI) team have warned about the impact of porn exposure and real-world harm. In schools across Warwickshire, our team supports young people who are already navigating the physical, emotional, and psychological impacts of sexual abuse.
Through our education programmes on consent, Safeline works to counter the dangerous messages often found on adult sites and social media.
“Pornography is not just entertainment. It’s shaping how young people view relationships, sex, and consent. This new law is a step in the right direction, but parents, schools, and services must still play a critical role in education and prevention.”
Learn more about Prevention & Early Intervention
What’s Next?
Companies that fail to implement compliant age checks by 25 July risk significant fines or may be blocked from UK access. A report evaluating the effectiveness of these measures will be published by Ofcom in 2026.
While some concerns remain, such as tackling the dark web, the age verification rollout marks a turning point in online child safety.
Safeline will continue to advocate for robust online protections and provide direct support to young people affected by harmful online content.
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