Pornography sites could be forced to require all users provide age verification before use

Pornographic websites will require users to verify their age in a bid to stop children viewing harmful material online.

Companies that fail to put safeguards in place will face civil sanctions under a new legal framework announced by the Government.

A public consultation will determine the best way to protect underage children from viewing X-rated material.Although figures are hard to verify, Comscore statistics from last year show that one in 10 UK visitors to adult websites were children.

Internet Safety and Security Minister Baroness Shields said: “The internet is a tremendous resource for learning and creativity but it is important to make sure that children are able to make the most of all it has to offer in a safe way.

"Keeping children safe online is one of government's greatest priorities."Just as we do offline, we want to make sure children are prevented from accessing pornographic content online which should only be viewed by adults.”

"So we are delivering on our manifesto promise by launching this consultation today, which proposes we require companies providing this pornographic content to ensure they have safeguards in place to ensure those accessing their websites are over 18."

A public consultation on the new regulatory framework will run until 12 April.Under the plans, payment providers and advertisers will be able to withdraw services from pornography websites that disobey the law.

Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, said: "Every day ChildLine receivescalls and messages from young people who feel they are being badly affected by the way they and their friends can view unlimited online pornography."

As a matter of urgency we must prevent children having ready access to content rated over 18 as it can give them a warped view of sexual relationships."

[sky news] 

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