Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pornography: Regulation

Wednesday 18 March 2026 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Emily Darlington asked about recent discussions with the BBFC on regulatory parity between online and offline pornography, highlighting public demand for regulation.
  • Emily Darlington inquired about the need to modernize criminal law to ban online extreme pornography alongside platform engagement to address the damaging effects of early exposure to violent sexual content.
  • Carla Lockhart raised concerns about 50% of boys aged 11 to 13 having viewed online pornography and questioned the need to modernize criminal law to ban online extreme pornography.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Emily Darlington Lab Milton Keynes Central
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The British Board of Film Classification has highlighted a regulatory gap between online and offline pornography, with recent research showing public support for new regulations. 64% of users believe violent pornography contributes to violent sexual behavior in the real world.

Question

What recent discussions have I had with the BBFC on regulatory parity between online and offline pornography? The current unacceptable regulatory gap raises concerns; 80% of users would support regulation, indicating a clear public demand for parity. Does the Minister recognise this demand and will he commit to introducing legislation ensuring illegal offline content is not permitted online?

Answer from Kanishka Narayan

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend's engagement on this issue and her championing of victims' voices. I agree with the demand for parity, which we have committed to through setting up a cross-Government unit to deliver within six months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to introduce legislation was not explicitly given

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Q2 Emily Darlington Lab Milton Keynes Central
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Research indicates that viewing violent sexual content can contribute to violent behavior in real life, with a majority of users supporting regulation. The current regulatory gap is concerning.

Question

Frequent exposure to violent sexual content on the internet at a young age is damaging. Does the Minister agree that alongside platform engagement, modernising criminal law must ban online extreme pornography?

Answer from Kanishka Narayan

I thank the hon. Member for her point on the damaging effects of early exposure to violent sexual content. We have made legal changes, including prioritising cyber-flashing and intimate image abuse as offences under the Online Safety Act 2023, and mandated age assurance on pornography sites.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to banning online extreme pornography through legal changes was not explicitly given

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Q3 Carla Lockhart DUP Upper Bann
Crime & Law Enforcement Culture, Media & Sport
Context

50% of boys aged 11 to 13 have already viewed online pornography, raising concerns about the impact on young people's understanding of relationships. Frequent exposure to violent content can be damaging.

Question

Some 50% of boys aged 11 to 13 have already viewed online pornography. Does the Minister agree that alongside platform engagement, modernising criminal law must ban online extreme pornography?

Answer from Kanishka Narayan

I thank the hon. Member for her point on early exposure to violent sexual content being damaging. We have made legal changes, including prioritising cyber-flashing and intimate image abuse as offences under the Online Safety Act 2023, and mandated age assurance on pornography sites.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific commitment to banning online extreme pornography through legal changes was not explicitly given

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