Tatiana Butskaya, a member of the Russian parliament, has proposed that access to pornographic websites should be restricted to those who have children. She expressed this view during an interview with the radio station Govorit Moskva, emphasizing the need to encourage more sexual relations leading to procreation. Butskaya argues that pornography acts as a substitute for real-life intimacy and that focusing on family-building could address demographic challenges in the country.

The proposal comes at a time when Russian authorities are concerned about a significant decline in birth rates linked to various factors, including the uncertainty caused by ongoing conflicts and the demographic issues arising from a previous dip in the birth rate during the 1990s. The current situation is exacerbated by the fact that women of childbearing age today were predominantly born during that low birth rate era, creating a demographic gap that has critical implications for the future of the population in Russia.

In response to the declining birth rate, the Russian government has been implementing various initiatives aimed at promoting larger families, including laws that ban the promotion of non-familial lifestyles. By targeting access to pornography, authorities hope to address the complex interplay between societal values, personal choices, and the nation’s demographic health, although how effective such a measure may be remains to be seen.