Colman Noctor: France pulls the plug on underage access to pornography

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

In a significant stride toward safeguarding its children, the French government has enacted stringent age verification laws targeting online pornography. Aimed at curbing underage access to explicit content, the move has sparked a global conversation on the balance between child protection and digital privacy.
As of June 4, 2025, all adult websites accessible within the country are required to implement robust age verification systems. These systems must ensure that users are at least 18 years old, using details such as a credit card or ID document, before granting access to their content.
In a novel move, the law introduces a 'double anonymity' mechanism, involving an independent third party overseeing the age verification process. These measures combined ensure that pornographic sites do not access the user's personal data.
The regulatory authority ARCOM is responsible for enforcement and has warned that non-compliant websites will face significant penalties, including fines of up to €150,000 or 2% of their global turnover, as well as the potential for indefinite blocking in France.
In retaliation, Aylo — the company that owns most of the major adult websites such as Pornhub, YouPorn, and RedTube — has threatened to suspend access to its platforms in France citing concerns over user privacy and data security.
From last Wednesday (June 5), French-based visitors to Aylo-owned adult sites have been greeted with a message denouncing the country's age verification requirements. The company has indicated that if these laws continue, it will cease operating in France.
The French authorities are standing firm against these threats.
Free to leave
The impetus for this legislation arises from disturbing statistics indicating that approximately 2.3m minors in France access pornographic websites monthly. Exposure to such content at a young age has been linked to distorted perceptions of sexuality, an increased risk of developing unhealthy relationships, and potential desensitisation to sexual violence.
The French culture minister Aurore Berge wrote on X that it would 'so much the better' if Pornhub and other Aylo sites cut off access for French users rather than 'conforming to our legal framework'. She went on to say that 'There will be less violent, degrading and humiliating content accessible to minors in France.'
Clara Chappaz, France's junior minister for artificial intelligence and digital technology, wrote on X, 'If Aylo would rather leave France than apply our laws, [it is] free to do so.'
The ministers seem to have broad public support. A study by the eSafety Commissioner found that a significant majority of adults in France support age verification measures to protect children online, and those objecting to it seem to be a loud minority.
Similar sentiments have been echoed in other countries, with a 2017 YouGov survey revealing that 83% of British adults agreed there should be an age limit for accessing pornography online. This view was particularly strong among British parents, with 83% supporting the introduction of age verification processes for access to pornographic websites.
In New Zealand, a 2023 poll conducted by Curia Market Research for Family First NZ found that 79% of respondents supported a law requiring age verification on pornographic websites.
Despite widespread support, the global implementation of age verification systems raises concerns in certain quarters about user privacy and data security.
Critics of this new French law argue that requiring users to submit personal identification could lead to potential data breaches and misuse of sensitive information. It would seem the law's 'double anonymity' approach, which seeks to minimise data exposure by separating the verification process from the content providers, is not reassurance enough for some.
Aylo representatives say the 'double anonymity' system is an ineffective mechanism because people's data could still be at risk of being divulged through hacks or leaks. They argue countries should be targeting developers of operating systems like Microsoft's Windows, Apple's iOS or Google's Android, rather than pornography platforms.
French authorities have acknowledged Aylo's concerns about potential data breaches. However, they have emphasised that the 'double anonymity' system is designed to safeguard user privacy and ensure that neither adult content websites nor age verification providers can identify users or know which specific sites are being accessed.
Making it a movement
France's decisive action on age verification highlights the urgent need to protect children from premature exposure to explicit content in the unregulated online world.
While maintaining a delicate balance between safeguarding children and preserving individual privacy rights, the implementation of thoughtful, privacy-conscious, and robust age verification systems represents a crucial step forward in our collective effort to protect children. As technology continues to evolve, our strategies must also adapt to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the younger generation online.
As countries worldwide observe the impact of the legislation, it could catalyse a broader movement toward stricter online age verification protocols.
It is encouraging to see that the European Commission has confirmed the introduction of an EU-wide age verification app, or mini-wallet, in July 2025, aimed at enhancing online protection for minors.
Ireland is also making progress in promoting online safety for children and young people by offering educational programmes and resources, helping children, parents, and educators to be more informed. These initiatives include interactive talks in primary and secondary schools, which focus on topics such as protecting privacy, managing digital footprints, and understanding cyberbullying. Organisations like CyberSafeKids provide information sessions to raise awareness about online risks and practical advice on safeguarding children in the digital world.
These and other similar initiatives have led to the implementation of voluntary codes regarding the delay of smartphone ownership in primary schools and the potential introduction of smartphone pouches in secondary schools.
In addition, Ireland has introduced a new Online Safety Code, in October 2024, which marks a significant development in ensuring safer online experiences for children. Released by the media regulator Coimisiún na Meán, the code sets binding rules for video-sharing platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and X. Platforms that fail to comply with the code's standards, including prohibitions on harmful content and the implementation of age verification measures, could face fines of up to €20m.
The code aims to end the era of self-regulation by obligating social media companies to protect users from harmful content, including promoting self-harm, cyberbullying, and other illegal activities.
These combined efforts reflect Ireland's commitment to creating a safer digital environment for its younger population. By integrating educational programmes with regulatory measures, the country is taking a comprehensive approach to online safety, ensuring that children are equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world responsibly.
However, sometimes education and awareness can only go so far, and collective action is required. If we were to follow the bold actions of France and institute a compulsory age verification system, this initiative would lead to significant progress in protecting the safety of our children in the online world.
Dr Colman Noctor is a child psychotherapist
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