Russia's Bold Plan to Curb Adult Content and Boost Birth Rates
Russia's State Duma is examining a controversial plan to restrict access to adult websites for citizens without children. The proposal, put forward by Tatyana Butskaya, aims to tackle the country's falling birth rates by reshaping social behaviour. Butskaya, deputy chair of the Duma's Committee on Family Protection, argues that limiting such content could encourage more people to start families.
Over the past five years, Russia's birth rate has steadily declined. In 2021, the average stood at 1.5 children per woman, but by 2025, it had dropped to around 1.2. The sharpest falls have hit rural areas, particularly Siberia and the Far East, with the 20- to 34-year-old age group—responsible for most births—seeing the biggest impact.
Butskaya claims that unrestricted access to adult content may discourage young adults from forming serious relationships. She suggests that online adult content interferes with natural attraction and intimacy in early adulthood. If left unchecked, she warns, this trend could worsen Russia's demographic crisis.
The proposal does not yet include specific technical methods for enforcing these restrictions. Instead, it calls for wider discussion on regulatory steps that could indirectly support family growth. Butskaya believes that reducing exposure to such material would help people focus on real social bonds rather than digital alternatives.
Experts will need to assess the practical challenges of implementing the plan. No clear solutions have been presented so far.
The Duma's proposal targets a decline in birth rates by limiting adult content for childless citizens. Further debate and technical analysis will be needed before any measures take effect. The outcome could influence how Russia addresses its long-term demographic concerns.
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