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Archbishop warns of child crisis Archbishop warns of child crisis
(10 minutes later)
A ban on advertising aimed at children should be considered to deal with a crisis in modern childhood, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.A ban on advertising aimed at children should be considered to deal with a crisis in modern childhood, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said.
Dr Rowan Williams said pressures on young people - including those from school tests - contributed to one in 10 having mental health problems.Dr Rowan Williams said pressures on young people - including those from school tests - contributed to one in 10 having mental health problems.
His comments came ahead of the launch of an inquiry into the state of childhood by the Children's Society.His comments came ahead of the launch of an inquiry into the state of childhood by the Children's Society.
But fertility expert Lord Winston said a lack of data made comparisons hard.But fertility expert Lord Winston said a lack of data made comparisons hard.
Dr Williams said certain areas such as advertising and the education system needed to be examined to tackle the crisis.Dr Williams said certain areas such as advertising and the education system needed to be examined to tackle the crisis.
"We're talking about one in 10 young people with measurable, identifiable mental health problems including self harm and clinical depression."We're talking about one in 10 young people with measurable, identifiable mental health problems including self harm and clinical depression.
"Now that's a very disturbing position."Now that's a very disturbing position.
"The whole thing about pester power for children, which of course advertising colludes with so often, needs challenging."The whole thing about pester power for children, which of course advertising colludes with so often, needs challenging.
"The levels of testing, the relentlessness of it, the fact that teenagers don't any longer even have a year that's free of some major public tests, makes the whole educational system anxiety driven.""The levels of testing, the relentlessness of it, the fact that teenagers don't any longer even have a year that's free of some major public tests, makes the whole educational system anxiety driven."
Childhood 'changed'Childhood 'changed'
The Children's Society is concerned about rising levels of child depression in the UK.The Children's Society is concerned about rising levels of child depression in the UK.
The independent inquiry is looking at all aspects of childhood amid growing concern over the health and quality of children's' lives.The independent inquiry is looking at all aspects of childhood amid growing concern over the health and quality of children's' lives.
Bob Reitmeier, the chief executive of the charity, said a period of reflection was needed to review the changed status of childhood, which had altered dramatically in terms of new technologies and a more diverse population. HAVE YOUR SAY Many kids don't seem to get the right balance and discipline from their parents Al, Newcastle href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=3861&edition=1&ttl=20060918090502" class="">Send us your comments Bob Reitmeier, the chief executive of the charity, said a period of reflection was needed to review the changed status of childhood, which had altered dramatically in terms of new technologies and a more diverse population.
Lord Winston said: "It's all very well to say that childhood depression in greatly on the increase but there's no data to support that, which why an initiative like this would be useful.Lord Winston said: "It's all very well to say that childhood depression in greatly on the increase but there's no data to support that, which why an initiative like this would be useful.
"But it is important to point out this is the first such study of its kind."But it is important to point out this is the first such study of its kind.
"The very fact that previous studies have not been done means that we don't have anything to compare the present time with," he told BBC News."The very fact that previous studies have not been done means that we don't have anything to compare the present time with," he told BBC News.
'Academic straitjackets''Academic straitjackets'
The Children's Society is concerned about a climate of "fear and confusion" among young people, she added.The Children's Society is concerned about a climate of "fear and confusion" among young people, she added.
The charity points to higher levels of depression and mental illness in the country than elsewhere in the European Union.The charity points to higher levels of depression and mental illness in the country than elsewhere in the European Union.
The archbishop's comments come a week after dozens of teachers joined children's authors and psychologists to write a letter to the Daily Telegraph, in which they highlighted "the escalating incidence of childhood depression".The archbishop's comments come a week after dozens of teachers joined children's authors and psychologists to write a letter to the Daily Telegraph, in which they highlighted "the escalating incidence of childhood depression".
They warned that poor diet, restricting exercise, putting children in "academic straitjackets", and dressing them like "mini adults" was stifling the natural creativity of many youngsters.They warned that poor diet, restricting exercise, putting children in "academic straitjackets", and dressing them like "mini adults" was stifling the natural creativity of many youngsters.
Signatories included children's writers Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson, scientist Baroness Greenfield, former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo, child care expert, Dr Penelope Leach and environmentalist Sir Jonathan Porritt.Signatories included children's writers Philip Pullman and Jacqueline Wilson, scientist Baroness Greenfield, former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo, child care expert, Dr Penelope Leach and environmentalist Sir Jonathan Porritt.