Britain is facing growing pressure to tighten online safety rules after new figures revealed that the average child now sees pornography by the age of 13, raising fresh concerns about the impact of smartphones and social media on young people.
The warning comes as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government prepares a major crackdown on children’s online activity, including plans that could restrict access to harmful social media platforms for under 16s and force technology companies to strengthen protections on devices.
Government data released this week showed that exposure to explicit material is becoming increasingly common among children. Officials said the trend is contributing to unhealthy attitudes towards sex, relationships and women, while also increasing the risk of exploitation and abuse. The government noted that the average child now views pornography by age 13 and that 91 per cent of child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 involved self generated sexual content created by children themselves.
Research from the Children’s Commissioner for England paints a similarly troubling picture. It found that 70 per cent of young people surveyed had seen pornography online, while many first encountered it accidentally. The average age of first exposure was also 13, although some children reported seeing explicit material as young as six.
Previous research by the British Board of Film Classification found that more than half of children aged 11 to 13 had seen pornography, often unintentionally through social media, messaging apps and online searches.
In response, ministers are considering tougher restrictions on children’s access to social media. The government recently completed a nationwide consultation on children’s digital wellbeing and is reviewing proposals that include age based social media bans, digital curfews and stronger age verification measures. More than 100,000 responses were submitted by parents, teachers, experts and young people.
Under the new restrictions, adults will have to go through a verification process in order to take, send or receive nude images. The age block will mean youngsters will not be able to access pornography on their phones and tablets.
The debate mirrors action in countries such as Australia, where authorities have moved to restrict social media use among younger users. Supporters argue tougher rules are needed to protect children from harmful content and online predators, while critics warn that bans could be difficult to enforce and may push young people towards less regulated corners of the internet.
With ministers expected to announce further measures in the coming weeks, the battle over how to protect children online is rapidly becoming one of Britain’s most important technology and public health debates.
