Christians Celebrate as UK Passes Landmark Laws to Crack Down on Online Pornography

UK Crime and Policing Bill Cracks Down on Online Pornography With Sweeping New Age Verification and Content Bans

The UK government has introduced sweeping amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill that will dramatically tighten regulations on online pornography, including mandatory age verification and bans on some of the most harmful content categories.

Christian policy group CARE has welcomed the changes, calling them "monumental steps forward" in regulating an industry the charity says has "severely lagged behind" standards applied to traditional media.

The amendments, which were debated in the House of Commons on 14 April 2026, will require proof that individuals appearing in online pornography are of legal age. Performers will also be given the right to have content featuring them removed at any point.

Additionally, the law will ban incest pornography and content that mimics child abuse, including material featuring legal aged individuals acting as minors. Publication of such content will carry a maximum sentence of five years, while possession will carry a maximum sentence of three years.

Online content that fuels the abuse and violent sexualisation of children and women should not be allowed.

Caroline Ansell, Director of Advocacy and Policy at CARE, made the statement as the organisation celebrated the legislative milestone. CARE has been campaigning for regulation of online pornography since 1994.

However, the broader Crime and Policing Bill has proven to be a mixed bag for Christians. An amendment now included in the bill would decriminalise abortion up to the point of birth. Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh described the 39 week decriminalisation as "appalling."

Faith leaders have also raised concerns about a new clause they say could undermine the right to protest. The amendments will now proceed to Commons consideration before moving to the Lords ahead of Royal Assent.

New UK Pornography Laws Target Age Verification and Child Exploitation Content

The legislative push follows decades of campaigning by Christian organisations and child protection advocates who have long argued that the internet has created a lawless frontier for exploitative content. CARE noted that regulation of online pornography has severely lagged behind regulation of more traditional mediums, leaving children and vulnerable individuals exposed to extreme material with virtually no safeguards.

Baroness Bertin, who authored the government's review on online pornography regulation, tabled several of the key amendments. These include banning adults from roleplaying as children in pornographic content and ensuring platforms verify the age and consent of those appearing in videos.

The Crusader's Opinion

For thirty years, the internet porn industry has operated in the shadows while our children paid the price. Half of all boys aged 11 to 13 have already been exposed to pornography. Let that sink in. CARE has been fighting this battle since 1994 and the government is only now catching up. These amendments are welcome, but let us not celebrate too quickly. The same bill that protects children from online predators also opens the door to abortion up to the point of birth. This is the tragic compromise of modern politics: one hand shields a child from digital exploitation while the other signs their death warrant in the womb. We must demand better. The fight for innocence does not end at a computer screen.

Take Action

• Contact your MP and urge them to support the pornography amendments while opposing the abortion decriminalisation clause. Find your MP at members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP
• Support CARE's ongoing campaigns for online child protection at care.org.uk
• Report illegal online content to the Internet Watch Foundation at iwf.org.uk
• Install parental controls and accountability software on your family's devices. Covenant Eyes (covenanteyes.com) offers tools designed for Christian families
• Donate to organisations defending the vulnerable at www.TheShepherdsShield.org