The Government has announced a review of pornography regulation to tackle any gaps which allow “exploitative, abusive and illegal” online content.
The review, which is not expected to be completed before the end of the year, is set to address the separate regimes covering online and offline pornographic material to ensure that any restrictions are consistently applied.
In addition, the review will consider how to better warn children about the dangers of pornography.
Online Safety Bill
Last week, the Government revealed that it will ensure explicit websites will be held to a higher standard in verifying the age of their users.
Its amendments to the Online Safety Bill will require age-verification systems being used by such websites to be “highly effective at correctly determining whether or not a particular user is a child”. Tech executives will also be held personally responsible for keeping children safe.
Age-verification checks were approved under the Digital Economy Act 2017, but plans to implement them were abandoned in October 2019.
‘Golden opportunity’
The Christian Institute’s Ciarán Kelly welcomed the intention to address gaps in the law, but expressed concern the review could lead to further unnecessary delays for some protections.
“The Government has finally started taking action to address the online porn epidemic. Certainly, its recent acceptance of the need for robust age-verification measures is very welcome.
“But with its Online Safety Bill still being shaped, it has a golden opportunity to address known gaps now – for example by prohibiting online content that would be prohibited offline.
“By all means have a review to ensure that, once implemented, the law is working effectively, but don’t put off to tomorrow what can be done today.”
Floella Benjamin calls for Online Safety Bill to ‘end sexualisation of children’
‘Online porn is fuelling rape threats against school teachers’