Children as young as five are simulating sex in the playground as a result of watching pornography on satellite TV and the internet, according to a Labour MP.
Barry Sheerman, the MP for Huddersfield, told the House of Commons that the country is “awash with a focus on early sexual activity.”
He said: “When I go to infant schools, teachers say to me, ‘Children come here, at five and six, simulating sexual behaviour that they should know nothing about.’ That is disgusting.”
Mr Sheerman also said: “I talked recently with members of another Select Committee who had looked at the amount of pornography on the internet available to children. That disturbs me greatly.”
He then went on to criticise Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation for the pornography which it broadcasts.
He said he had read that “the Murdoch empire is not only the biggest carrier of pornography in the world, but has now bought a major supplier and maker of pornography in the United States”.
Mr Sheerman continued: “Our children should be protected from pornography, whether it is on BSkyB or the internet. Childhood should be protected.”
In August an article in the Guardian claimed that almost all children will have seen hardcore pornography by the age of 17.
Earlier this year, research also showed a fifth of children aged five to seven are surfing the internet without an adult in the room.
The media regulator Ofcom, which conducted the research, said: “There has been an increase in the number of younger children using the internet at home.
“This increase does not appear to be the result of increased internet take-up within the home, suggesting that children in this age group are starting to use the internet at home at a younger age.”
In September it was reported that children are easily able to access pornographic videos on their mobile phones.
The Daily Mail said pornography under headings such as “More Fun Stuff!” is available for anyone to view.
The newspaper highlighted the case of one eleven year-old boy who ran up a bill of £500 after viewing a pornographic website.
The National Association of Head Teachers said mobile phone pornography in schools was now “widespread and very worrying”.