A government-commissioned review has called for sweeping restrictions on violent and misogynistic pornography, urging ministers to ban content that depicts non-fatal strangulation and other degrading acts. The recommendations, led by Conservative peer Baroness Gabby Bertin, suggest that regulator Ofcom should be given the power to police online porn in the same way that offline content is scrutinised.
The review highlights the increasing prevalence of violent sexual content on mainstream platforms, warning that such material is helping to normalise dangerous behaviours in real life. The report cites research showing that a significant proportion of women have experienced choking during sex, with many young men believing this to be a standard sexual practice.
Baroness Bertin argues that the impact of online pornography extends far beyond private consumption, influencing attitudes towards women and shaping male behaviour in ways that contribute to domestic abuse, toxic masculinity, and mental health struggles. While acknowledging that porn has always existed, she emphasises that the internet has removed traditional barriers, making extreme content widely accessible without regulation.
Currently, non-fatal strangulation is a criminal offence if carried out without consent, but its depiction in pornography remains legal. The review suggests that videos deemed too harmful for classification by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) should be banned from online platforms, mirroring restrictions already in place for physical media such as DVDs.
Downing Street has described the findings as “shocking” and has pledged to examine the links between violent pornography and real-world abuse. A government spokesperson stated that ministers would “act swiftly” to close legal gaps, though they stopped short of confirming an outright ban.
Critics of the proposals argue that restricting content in this way risks infringing on personal freedoms and could lead to broader censorship issues. Others point out that consensual BDSM practices exist and that any ban would need to be carefully defined to distinguish between harmful material and legitimate sexual expression.
Advocates for stronger regulation, however, point to the long-term effects of exposure to violent porn, particularly among young people. Studies referenced in the review indicate that frequent consumption of such material is reshaping societal norms around sex and relationships, leading to increased acceptance of aggression in intimate encounters.
The government has already introduced measures under the Online Safety Act to clamp down on illegal content, including deepfake pornography and material that promotes child sexual abuse. However, the review argues that further action is needed to address the widespread availability of extreme content, which remains legal despite its documented harm.
A key concern raised in the report is the role of online pornography in shaping teenage boys’ understanding of sex. One case study describes a 14-year-old boy asking a teacher for advice on how to choke girls during sex, highlighting the ways in which pornographic content can blur the lines between fantasy and reality. The review calls for government-funded education programmes aimed at young men, promoting healthier attitudes towards sex and relationships.
The proposals are likely to spark debate about the limits of government intervention in private consumption. Some campaigners argue that focusing on pornographic content alone is not enough and that broader cultural change is needed to challenge misogyny and promote positive representations of sex. Others suggest that banning certain forms of porn will not address the root causes of violence against women and that more emphasis should be placed on tackling real-world perpetrators rather than restricting online content.
Despite differing opinions on how best to address the issue, there is growing recognition that online pornography is influencing sexual norms in ways that demand greater scrutiny. Whether the government will take decisive action remains to be seen, but the review has placed renewed pressure on ministers to confront the darker side of the porn industry and its impact on wider society.