is the online safety act helping porn addicts recover?

Cases of porn addiction have been on the rise for many years (Picture: Shutterstock / PV productions)

From the very early days of the internet,Brits had almost limitless access to porn of all kinds – hardcore,softcore,legal and questionable.

It was so readily available that many got their first experience of adult content by accident,with eye-popping images appearing unsolicited on their social media feeds.

Then,once they knew where to find it,this neverending stream of raunchy material provided a reliable dopamine hit that could easily prove addictive.

And there wasn’t a single barrier in the way. Until July 25,2025.

That was the date when a certain section of the Online Safety Act – legislation passed under the Conservatives with bipartisan support – came into effect.

It required all websites and apps that allow adult content to introduce age checks which would ensure only over-18s were able to gain access.

Get straight-talking analysis and breakdowns from Westminster with Alright,Gov?,Metro’s award-nominated politics newsletter.

Email

I agree to receive newsletters from Metro

I agree to receive newsletters from Metro

Sign UpSign Up

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy

While people with an existing problem may find ways to bypass the restrictions,blocking these sites for under-18s ‘will mean that fewer people get to that stage’,Zaheen said.

For years,experts have been raising the alarm about how porn is warping the view of sex,intimacy and consent among young people – issues that are compounded when addiction is added to the mix.

This impact of the law is ‘unequivocally beneficial’,according to Alex,as it ‘offers an additional layer of protection at a time when children and adolescents are especially vulnerable’.

He added: ‘Prevention is always more effective than intervention after behaviours have become entrenched.’

But even if the Online Safety Act is successful,both experts agreed there is a much better and simpler way to combat the pain of porn addiction: human connection.

Asked for his advice,Zaheen suggested: ‘Go out,like people used to – go to the pub,go out,meet,have a meaningful relationship,build a connection,then have sex.’