Don't bubblewrap kids from the Net's dangers

Overprotective parents are to blame for children falling prey to internet sex abusers, a government advisor warns today.

Former TV parenting guru Dr Tanya Byron says society has become so "risk averse" that many young people no longer know how to protect themselves from harm such as web paedophiles.

The clinical psychologist said: "PCs are in classrooms now - this is the future. We obviously have to be vigilant about people with inappropriate desires. But we can't wrap our children in bubble-wrap because then we remove the opportunity for them to live life."

Ms Byron was speaking for the first time since her appointment by Gordon Brown to head an investigation into the impact of video game violence and internet porn on young people.

The review has been prompted by increasing concerns over the time children spend unsupervised in cyberspace. It also follows cases where video games have been blamed for killings, including the murder of 14-year-old Leicester schoolboy Stefan Pakeerah. His parents said the game Manhunt, now banned, inspired their son's killer.

Today, ministers used the London Games Festival to call on young people to submit their views on the benefits and dangers of the web and video games. A blog is being set up by Ms Byron on MySpace to which children can respond with their concerns.

She said: "Some risks are unacceptable but if it gets to the point where children can't play with conkers, how can you enable children to manage risk?"