Ofcom says research shows need for stricter age checks being introduced in July, which most major sites have signed up to
Nearly one in 10 children aged eight to 14 have watched online pornography, according to the UK’s communications watchdog, as most adult content providers gear up to adopt stronger age checks ahead of a 25 July deadline.
Ofcom published research showing that 8% of children aged eight to 14 in the UK had visited an online pornography site or app over a month-long period. Boys aged 13 to 14 were the most likely viewers, with two out of 10 visiting adult sites.
Ofcom said the total number of under-18s visiting such sites would have been “higher still” if older teenagers had been included.
The watchdog released the data before a 25 July deadline for pornography sites and apps that allow pornography – including social media platforms as well as dedicated providers – to put in place “highly effective” age-checking measures to prevent under-18s from accessing adult material.
