CARE is urging political action after new research suggested that shocking numbers of young people are addicted to internet porn.

Mental health and addiction clinic Paracelsus Recovery reports a 150% increase in people being treated for porn addiction between 2019-23.

Its Chief Executive Jan Gerber told the Mail Online that “porn addiction is significantly more common than official numbers suggest.”

“We estimate that one in two males suffer from problematic porn consumption that would meet the diagnostic criteria for addiction, and one in four females. Among under-18s, the levels are higher still, at around 60 per cent", he added.

Louise Davies MBE, Director of Advocacy and Policy at CARE, said:

“This research illustrates the astonishing scope of porn consumption and addiction in society, including among children. The impact pornography has on children and young people is greatly concerning to parents, child safety campaigners, groups representing women and girls, and many others. Polling commissioned by CARE found that 8 in 10 UK adults want age checks on porn sites, and 6 in 10 fear porn is inspiring sexual violence.

“Fears about the links between violent pornography and sexual crime have spiked in recent years in the wake of tragic cases like that of Sarah Everard, whose killer was obsessed with 'rape porn'. A growing body of evidence from front line workers helping victims of sexual crime, educationalists and members of the judiciary also points to a link between consumption of extreme pornography and sexual crime."

Ms Davies added:

"The government has committed to reviewing gaps in the law and this is welcome. We do not have parity in offline and online regulation. At present, mainstream porn sites can host material that would be illegal in the offline world. There are no rules requiring participants’ age and consent to be verified. And there is no mechanism for individuals who have had content shared illegally to get it taken down.

“There are also huge fears relating to artificial intelligence, which must urgently be considered. It has taken years for concerns about internet pornography to gain prominence, and it falls to political leaders to keep up momentum for change. The pornography industry cannot be allowed to act with impunity anymore. There is a moral obligation for action that leads to vulnerable groups being protected.”