Originally Posted by Roulette

"It's essential that all explicit adult content is covered, and non-compliant sites are quickly taken down."

Ofcom's guidance on age checks for online video content suggest a range of options - from confirmation of credit card ownership to cross-checking a user's details with information on the electoral register.

"Age checking is nothing new," said Ben Jordan from Aristotle, which provides such services.

"The online gambling industry has been doing this for years and it's been very effective."

Dr Victoria Nash, at the Oxford Internet Institute, was the lead author of a report for the government on child use of online pornography.

She said that gambling sites may well also check registered users' credentials against data in the electoral roll or driving licence databases.

Dr Nash added that it was likely porn site age checks would use similar methods to ensure users are 18 or over.

The consultation document explains that the regulator of age checks on porn sites could be given powers to impose "sanctions" - including fines.

the power to force internet service providers to block sites that did not perform effective age checks.