DEAR FRIEND, September 2023
One of the great challenges of our time is how best to protect our children and grandchildren from harm, and one of the key battlegrounds in this fight is the access to and the prevalence of pornography online. When CARE first began 40 years ago, the problem was newsagents selling pornographic magazines in full view of children. Today, the problem is altogether more complex and invasive.
The same year that Lyndon and Charlie changed the name of the Nationwide Festival of Light to Christian Action Research and Education, the Internet was born. As it’s grown and expanded, it has brought great benefits, but it also has a darker side. Online pornography is a huge and powerful industry, and our smartphones are easy gateways to the internet.
In January this year, the Children’s Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, published a new report. It highlighted that the average age at which children first see porn is 13. Meanwhile, 10 per cent of children have seen porn for the first time by the age of nine, while 27 per cent have seen it first by the age of 11. These numbers are shocking. The reality is that many young people see ‘consuming’ pornography as ‘cool’ and normal. One girl quoted in the Commissioner’s report said: ‘In year 9, I remember people being picked on because they hadn’t watched porn before, and that is kind of shocking thinking that now.’
One of the most disturbing realities is that children can also stumble across pornography online, entirely by accident. Another girl said: “I think sometimes you can end up finding stuff like that without even meaning to. Whether it’s social media and ads come up that you’re not even looking for.”
When you look at evidence for where children are getting porn, the research suggests it’s a combination of social media and dedicated pornographic websites. So the public policy
challenge is finding a way of stopping so many of our young people from so easily accessing porn online.
The answer lies in what’s called age verification, or age checks. If you’re under 18, you go to the shops and you’ll be ID’d to stop you buying certain products like alcohol. Age verification is simply applying that principle online as well.
Undergirding this are clear, Christian principles. At CARE, we recognise and submit to God’s word and what it teaches about sex. Pornography is fundamentally dehumanising. It objectifies human beings, especially women, rather than upholding their intrinsic dignity and worth as image-bearers of God. It distorts the good model of love and intimacy God intends for us. Most people know this even if they are unwilling to admit it. As one boy, who first viewed porn when he was 12, said: “Pornography, especially when viewed at a young age, colours expectations and teaches children to view women as objects of sex rather than as actual people.” Pornography shapes and influences our attitudes about sex, consent and healthy relationships.
That’s why we campaigned for and welcomed the Online Safety Bill in 2022 that proposed age verification on online pornography, covering both websites and social media. Over 2022 and 2023, we worked tirelessly to secure key improvements to the Bill, building on our engagement with the Digital Economy Act of 2017.
Our lobbying on this Bill was full of twists and turns. We helped improve the legislation in respect of free speech. But persuading the government to accept our suggestions to improve how age verification would work proved really tough. After multiple debates, briefings, speeches and an effective partnership with charities like Barnardo’s and Cease, in July this year, the Government finally confirmed that it would accept our proposals. This means two things: firstly, age checks are now going to be far more robust. Plus, by working with our allies and other groups, we’ve persuaded the Government to agree to quicker implementation. Our hope is that age checks will be in place within the next 6-12 months. Please pray that this time they will be introduced. We expect to keep a close eye on this and hold the Government to its word.
Our success in this area has been hard fought. We have needed all our expertise, perseverance, patience and your prayers and support to get the legislation to a better place. Securing policy changes can take years and that is why I am so grateful for your faithful support. Your generosity and commitment means we can do our work seeking to restrain evil and promote good legislation that protects people and helps them prosper. I’ve said it before, but will say it again and again: thank you for your partnership in the gospel that helps us speak God’s better story into public life.
Yours in His grace,
ROSS HENDRY CEO of CARE