Three quarters (75%) of parents worry about their children accessing inappropriate adult content online such as violent porn, according to new research
The study of 1,500 parents by AgeChecked, found that websites containing pornographic material were the biggest concern for children’s safety and wellbeing.
This was ahead of gambling platforms (51%) and shopping sites that sell restricted items such as knives and alcohol (40%).
The worrying impact of adult content on young people’s mental health was recently highlighted in a report by the NSPCC. The charity cited widespread confusion over what constitutes “normal” intimate activity as a cause for increasing peer sexual abuse.
The UK government intends to implement AgeID on all porn websites – a measure met with a mixed reaction:
3️⃣ The new regulation that’s coming soon, if you want to look at porn on the internet you will have to register first with official ID.
— BBC Radio 2 (@BBCRadio2) March 27, 2019
One individual commented that there are currently more pressing priorities:
Somehow -in the midst of Brexit- the UK is moving forward with the Porn Block regulation as of April 1st.
I wish it was a joke.
— Cristal Palacios Yumar (@CristalPalacios) March 27, 2019
Another person observed that no-one was really made aware of this development:
Crazy how few people are aware of the porn regulation coming into force next month, in order to watch you need to prove you’re 18 by using your card details or going to a newsagents to get an age verification card loool
— goncalsesh 🧝🏼♀️ (@speedygonzo69) March 21, 2019
However, despite this clear need to safeguard minors against viewing inappropriate content online, fewer than half (43%) of the parents surveyed believe that current age restrictions in place are working effectively.
Better online age checks form a key part of the Digital Economy Act, which will require the adult industry to check the age of all online users when it is implemented in April 2019.
This is in addition to growing pressure on social media platforms to better regulate their content. The research found that 59% of children have used social media by the age of 10, even though many of these have a minimum age requirement of 14.
Currently, the adult industry is able to promote explicit content via certain social platforms that are easily accessible by children. However, there is nothing within new Digital Economy Act regulations to stop sites from continuing to advertise their services in this way.
Alastair Graham, CEO of AgeChecked, said:
“Pressure is mounting for adult content providers to ensure they are operating entirely within the law. Although parents have a responsibility to protect their children, it’s almost impossible to constantly monitor exactly what they are doing online.
“The onus is therefore also on the adult industry to help safeguard young people – who can be too-easily warped by what they see on the Internet.”
