Overview

• Early analytics show steep declines on major adult sites after July 25, with Similarweb reporting Pornhub’s UK visits down about 47% in the first days of August.
• VPN interest and downloads jumped after the rules took effect, with providers reporting surges and VPN apps topping UK app‑store charts.
• A new survey from the Children’s Commissioner found 70% of 16–21 year‑olds had seen porn before 18, 27% by age 11, and 59% said their exposure was accidental.
• Respondents reported high rates of violent or illegal content in childhood viewing, including strangulation (58%) and depictions of sex while someone was asleep (44%).
• Government officials say VPNs will remain legal but warn of tough enforcement against platforms that promote workarounds for children, as Ofcom pursues multiple investigations into suspected non‑compliant adult services.