Porn websites to check the ages of users from July

ONLINE porn users will finally have to prove their age from July.

Much-delayed measures, the first of their kind anywhere in the world, will require X-rated sites by law to carry out robust age-verification checks.

The scheme is being introduced amid fears that children find it far too easy to access adult images on the internet.

Age verification was due to be introduced in April 2018, but was delayed until January and then again until easter. Yesterday, digital minister Margot James said it would finally be introduced on July 15.

Over-18s will be able to verify their age in a number of ways, for example using ID such as a credit card or passport.

They can also buy an over-thecounter card from shops – dubbed a ‘porn pass’ – where verification takes place face-to-face.

Websites that fail to implement the new rules face being blocked for UK internet users. Mrs James said: ‘Adult content is currently far too easy for children to access online. The introduction of mandatory age-verification is a world- first and we’ve taken the time to balance privacy concerns with the need to protect children.

‘We want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online and these new laws will help us achieve this.’

The rules only affect commercial porn sites and do not cover social media, although many such sites are flooded with pornographic images.

But the scheme has been welcomed by children’s charities.

An NSPCC spokesman said: ‘exposure to pornography can be damaging to young people’s views about sex, body image and healthy relationships.

‘We want to make sure that when these new rules are implemented they are as effective as possible and protect children.’

Carolyn Bunting, of online safety group Internet Matters, said: ‘Parents overwhelmingly support age-verification and are confident it will make a difference, [but] we must recognise that digital solutions aren’t the only answer and parents can’t become complacent.

‘There is no substitute for regular and honest conversations with your child about what they’re getting up to online.’

The British Board of Film Classification will be the age verification regulator. Chief executive David Austin said the move was ‘a ground-breaking child-protection measure’.

He said that a new green ‘AV’ symbol would be used on sites to prove that ‘an age-verification provider has met rigorous security and data checks’.

But campaigners have warned the tools could have consequences for user privacy.

Matthew Lesh, of the Adam Smith Institute, said: ‘ This scheme, that requires linking of people’s identity to their online adult-viewing habits, will seriously threaten our privacy, be a massive gift to scammers, and won’t even work. Young people will just get around it.’

‘Ground-breaking measure’