The Government's announced it's prepared to introduce new laws, if the adult entertainment industry fails to start regulating itself.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: "Our one nation government is working hard to make the internet a safer place for children, the next step in this campaign is to curb access to harmful pornographic content which is currently far too widely available.
"I want to see age restrictions put into place or these websites will face being shut down."
Critics have questioned the practicality of policing the new proposals while campaigners have back the plans.
"It's been done with the gambling industry, this whole idea of checking people's age verification via people's bank accounts and credit cards; it has happened with the gambling, so that's one way around it," said Safer media campaigner Pippa Smith who's also a Christian to Premier's News Hour.
Minister for Internet Security and Security Baroness Joanna Shields said: "As a result of our work with industry, more than 90 per cent of UK consumers are offered the choice to easily configure their Internet service through family friendly filters - something we take great pride in having achieved. It's a gold standard that surpasses those of other countries.
"Whilst great progress has been made, we remain acutely aware of the risks and dangers that young people face online. This is why we are committed to taking action to protect children from harmful content. Companies delivering adult content in the UK must take steps to make sure these sites are behind age verification controls. "
The UK's top ten adult sites account for over half (52%) of all site views. All provide free content upfront and none have robust age verification to protect under 18s in place at present, whilst DVDs containing explicit pornographic content are subject to age controls for purchase in licensed sex shops.
A consultation will take place in the autumn, with technology experts asked how best to stop children accessing pornographic content.
