'It Makes You Feel Guilty Again': How UK Age-Verification Laws Accidentally Brought Back Sexual Shame

UK age-verification laws were designed to protect users online. Instead, experts and individuals explain how ID checks and privacy loss are reviving deep sexual shame.

You’re prepared for some solo time (you know what I mean). You lie back and load up some erotic content – only to be asked to prove you’re over 18.

You have two choices: stand up, find your wallet with your ID or credit card and supply it to a third party website, or take a selfie. It’s not exactly sexy, is it?

But since 25 July 2025, UK legislation has required social platforms to check users’ age before they access adult content.

According to the government website, the The Online Safety Act (OSA) was designed to “prevent children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content”.

However, the age checks brought in under the Act are also impacting what fully grown adults can access on the internet – though they’re doing everything in their power to get around that.

After the Act came into effect, the number of people accessing VPNs immediately skyrocketed. Just three days later, VPN apps became the most-downloaded on Apple’s App Store in the UK and by December, VPN use had more than doubled since age verification was introduced.

For adults who aren’t using VPNs, though, the need to supply their ID to access porn sites is posing a problem.

“Since the law came into effect, we have undoubtedly seen adults, particularly those over aged 50, raise the most issues surrounding the need for age verification,” explains Anna Richards, founder and CEO of Frolic Me, an independent porn site for women.

Not only are older age groups less likely to be asked for ID when buying anything ‘adult’, but they might also be less in the know about how to get around age checks.

“While many Gen Z may circumvent these laws using VPNs, older, less tech-savvy adults are finding themselves self-censoring, anxious about leaving a digital footprint,” Richards continues.

“We are seeing them........

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