‘Beware dating app for pupils’

and 13, said she found the concept of online dating for children “shocking.”

“The letter took me back a bit,” she said. “It seems that our children are not allowed to be kids any more.

“I don’t let my children out at all, it is not worth the risk.”

Mrs Swallow said she ensured her children were aware of being safe when online and she regularly checks how they are using their smart phones.

She is particularly troubled by the idea that children might be using online dating apps. “The whole concept of dating apps for children and adults is wrong,” she added. “There are too many frightening people about. I just don’t understand what the need for them is.”

Mrs Swallow urged parents to remain vigilant.

“I keep having conversations with my children and I keep a constant eye on their phones.” The NSPCC recently warned that the Yellow app could be used by sexual predators.

Yellow is available for both iPhone and Android devices and bills itself as a “free way to make new chat friends.”

Just like Tinder, Yellow lets its users swipe right and left to either like or pass on another user and, if there’s a match, they can begin chatting.

Online advice site Webwise says: “It is very easy to access the (Yellow) app using an incorrect date of birth. The lack of a robust age-verification tool poses a risk for young users and opportunities for predators.”