France will become the first country to introduce a “digital certificate” for anyone seeking to view online pornography to prove they are not under age. Critics say violent porn is having a detrimental effect on both sexes.

People wanting to visit pornography websites will have to install a government application on their mobile phones proving they are at least 18 years old as part of the plan announced by Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s digital minister.

Websites that do not comply with the order risk being banned from France.

The certification process will remain anonymous and be enforced by September this year, the French government said.

While children are banned from accessing porn in France, current laws only oblige people to click on a button indicating they are over 18, with no other checks on whether they are actually adults.

The lack of other oversight is a major factor behind children accessing online pornography for the first time at an average age of 11, according to French studies.