Blocking porn is not prudish.. it stops kids getting wrong ideas

From April, new restrictions on porn sites will make them more difficult to access, with users needing ID to prove they are over 18.

While 68 per cent of parents say the new rules will “make a difference”, it is important to make sure your children are aware of the dangers.

Every discussion you have on the subject should be natural and straightforward. If you seem embarrassed about sex education and pornography, your child is unlikely to let you know they have seen risqué images.

If they are embarrassed, have them write things down – or talk in the car to help avoid eye contact.

Make young children aware their bodies belong to them. The NSPCC has a fantastic PANTS activity pack (search “pants” on nspcc.org.uk) with fun games and a funny Pantosaurus song to teach them “what’s in your pants belongs only to you”.

Tweens aged 11-plus are facing puberty, so make sure they know what to expect – it is better they understand from you about their bodies rather than asking online pals while hidden away in the bedroom.

For age-appropriate information on puberty, take a look at amaze.org. And advice for families on staying safe, from ThinkUKnow, is at www.thinkuknow.co.uk.

Pornography can harm children’s confidence and damage the way they treat themselves and others.

Talk to them about positive body image – and make sure they know images of perfection are not real.

Have a conversation about online porn and how its portrayal of women, consent and extreme sexual behaviours can have a negative impact on them.

With teenagers, make sure they know that porn does not often portray sex in real life – and how it can form unrealistic expectations of sexual behaviour.

Again, discuss images of thinness or perfection, and also talk about how to resist pressure from friends. Discuss what a normal, healthy relationship looks like.

In general, use parental controls to block adult content and, if your child has a mobile, ask their network provider to lock out access to adult content.