The government’s new adviser on children says parents should do more to protect young people online.
Claire Perry thinks they should be checking texts, Twitter and be friends on Facebook so it’s easier to see what’s going on.
The Conservative MP for Devizes thinks parents should challenge the idea that children have the right to keep messages private.
I think parents do have a responsibility to discuss these things with their kids and make sure they’re friends with them on Facebook
Claire PerryGovernment adviser on children
The 48-year-old, who has three children, wants age ratings for sexually provocative music videos, access to men’s magazines restricted and wants internet safety taught in schools.
She also thinks that photos that have been airbrushed in magazines should be clearly labelled.
Prime Minister David Cameron’s adviser on the sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood said: “I’m not in any way suggesting that we should be like the diary-reading parent from hell.
“But I think parents do have a responsibility, particularly with younger children, to potentially discuss these things with their kids and make sure they’re friends with them on Facebook.”
