MP
Launches ‘Labelled for Life’ Guide in House of Commons
Fiona Bruce has
launched a new resource produced by the Mother’s Union designed to help parents
respond to the rise in sexting, online advertising and commercialisation of
children and young people which is campaigning campaigner for better safeguards
for children online.
The new
resource, Labelled for Life: Managing the Commercial World as a Family, builds
upon Mothers’ Union’ successful Bye Buy Childhood campaign and addresses the
proliferation of online advertising, user generated content and includes
updates to marketing and media regulations that have been made following recent
policy changes. Labelled for Life offers a practical and accessible guide to
parents and carers to help them understand and ensure the safety of their
children amid the latest developments in technology.
Speaking at the
launch in the House of Commons, Fiona
Bruce, MP for the Congleton Constituency, highlighted how half of parents
in the UK do not feel equipped to deal with the commercial world, with over a
third feeling they have little or no control over the content their children
are viewing on mobile phones and social networking sites. “We
have all benefited from advances in technology in this generation but parents
often feel ill equipped to ensure their children can engage with this new world
in safety. Labelled for Life provides a starting point for both parents and
carers to begin that conversation”.
As well as
advice to combat online commercialisation, Labelled for Life also provides
practical tips for parents and carers on talking to children about money and
budgeting, peer pressure and bullying, sex and healthy relationships, and where
to go for further advice in the event of serious complaints or criminal
activity.
Labelled for
Life works on the basis that while the commercial world is now part of life, rather
than shield children from it, they need to be equipped to manage it and engage
with it safely and securely. Labelled for Life recommends that parents spend
responsibly, put in place sensible safeguards and manage children’s
expectations around what they can consume.
Rachel Aston, Social Policy Manager at
Mothers’ Union, and author of the guide, said; “Our intention is
that children won’t feel that their value and identity is tied up with big
brands, what they look like or what they own; but instead that they understand
and feel secure in their own inherent value."
To view more
information and resources to help combat the commercialisation and
sexualisation of childhood please visit www.mothersunion.org/childhood.
