Tory peer says Government must shield kids from porn through age checks online

KIDS must be shielded from porn online by forcing websites to introduce robust age checks, Rishi Sunak is being warned.

The PM has already caved to a Commons rebellion from Tories demanding social media bosses face jail for failing to remove horrific content.

Now Tory peer Jim Bethell has joined with children’s charities Barnardo’s and the NSPCC to toughen up the Online Safety Bill.

A series of amendments will propose that all porn websites and social media sites must implement betting-style age verification systems within six months of the Bill becoming law.

It will also demand that the legal definition of porn is consistent online with video and telly services.

Lord Bethell said: “Many young people have seen nasty pornography that reinforces problems we have in our society.”

The Tory peer has had discussions with Ministers and is hopeful of getting the Government to accept his proposals.

Research has shown that 51 per cent of 11 to-13-year-olds have seen porn at some point.

No10 said: “Our Bill will force any site that offers pornography to stop children accessing it or face huge fines.

“It will require platforms to prevent underage people viewing such harmful content through the use of measures such as age verification.”