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Children 'should be taught about pornography and sexting' Children 'should be taught about pornography and sexting'
(about 9 hours later)
Most people think schools should teach children about the impact of sexting and pornography, a charity says.Most people think schools should teach children about the impact of sexting and pornography, a charity says.
Plan International UK claims 75% of people think the impact of porn should be a compulsory part of the curriculum, while 7% oppose the move.Plan International UK claims 75% of people think the impact of porn should be a compulsory part of the curriculum, while 7% oppose the move.
In its survey of 2,000 adults it said 71% of people wanted pupils to get lessons on sexting.In its survey of 2,000 adults it said 71% of people wanted pupils to get lessons on sexting.
Education Secretary Justine Greening said she was looking at the issue, but a law change has not yet been proposed.Education Secretary Justine Greening said she was looking at the issue, but a law change has not yet been proposed.
Plan International UK's chief executive, Tanya Barron, called for "children's education to reflect the 21st Century reality of their lives".Plan International UK's chief executive, Tanya Barron, called for "children's education to reflect the 21st Century reality of their lives".
Currently, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) classes - which cover sex education - are compulsory from the age of 11 under the national curriculum in England. Currently, all secondary schools in England under local authority control have to teach sex education as part of the science curriculum but this is limited to the biological aspects of reproduction and does not cover relationships.
But academies and free schools, which are controlled by central government, do not have to follow the national curriculum. But a loophole means academies and free schools - which are controlled by central government rather than local authorities - do not have to follow the national curriculum and are not, therefore, obliged to teach the subject.
Sex education is also taught at most secondary schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where there are separate education guidelines.Sex education is also taught at most secondary schools in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, where there are separate education guidelines.
Parents can opt to take their children out of these classes.Parents can opt to take their children out of these classes.
Violence and abuseViolence and abuse
Ms Barron said children were exposed to sexual imagery on a "daily basis".Ms Barron said children were exposed to sexual imagery on a "daily basis".
"Children themselves, girls in particular, are telling us that they feel they need improved, age-appropriate mandatory sex and relationships education," she said."Children themselves, girls in particular, are telling us that they feel they need improved, age-appropriate mandatory sex and relationships education," she said.
"This would help them navigate these difficult issues.""This would help them navigate these difficult issues."
Plan UK's poll of UK adults, carried out by Opinium, also found that:Plan UK's poll of UK adults, carried out by Opinium, also found that:
The findings come amid growing pressure for sex education to be compulsory in schools.The findings come amid growing pressure for sex education to be compulsory in schools.
The Local Government Association warned that pupils in England's schools were at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections when they reached adulthood, because they were not being properly prepared.The Local Government Association warned that pupils in England's schools were at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections when they reached adulthood, because they were not being properly prepared.
Labour has also called for compulsory age-appropriate sex education in all schools in England, claiming that sexting among under-16s is on the rise.Labour has also called for compulsory age-appropriate sex education in all schools in England, claiming that sexting among under-16s is on the rise.
Conservative MP Maria Miller, who has also backed a change in policy, added that most children will already have seen online pornography by the time they leave primary school.Conservative MP Maria Miller, who has also backed a change in policy, added that most children will already have seen online pornography by the time they leave primary school.
"I want compulsory lessons at school to help children better understand the signs of an abusive relationship, issues such as consent and the harm that is done by sexting and underage viewing of pornography," she said."I want compulsory lessons at school to help children better understand the signs of an abusive relationship, issues such as consent and the harm that is done by sexting and underage viewing of pornography," she said.
Last year, a parliamentary inquiry said there were "alarming inconsistencies" in the way schools deal with sexual harassment and violence.Last year, a parliamentary inquiry said there were "alarming inconsistencies" in the way schools deal with sexual harassment and violence.
The cross-party Women and Equalities Committee said in its report last September that compulsory sex education would "help to significantly reduce the incidence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools".The cross-party Women and Equalities Committee said in its report last September that compulsory sex education would "help to significantly reduce the incidence of sexual harassment and sexual violence in schools".