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Written question asked by Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party) on Tuesday, 18 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 20 March 2025. It was answered by Feryal Clark (Labour) on Wednesday, 2 April 2025 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Pornography: Magazine Press

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to regulate the sale of (a) magazines and (b) other offline pornography to under 21s in (i) shops and (ii) garages.

Answer

Physical (or ‘offline’) media with pornographic content is usually classified 18 or R18 rating by the British Board of Film Classification under the Video Recordings Act 1984. This Act is the responsibility of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, rather than DSIT.

DSIT is responsible for the Online Safety Act, which requires online services in scope of the Act to proactively tackle and remove illegal content, including illegal pornographic content. By summer 2025, all user-to-user services that allow sharing of pornographic content should also use highly effective age assurance if necessary to prevent children from accessing such content.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
38990
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Garages and petrol stations Pornography Regulation Shops Magazine press
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk