THE latest figures that show a frightening 71 per cent increase of child on child sex assaults and a 68 per cent increase in young girls self-harming (Echo, Oct 19) reveal that something somewhere with our children is going wrong.

These days they are brought up in a sex culture that has become trendy and acceptable and tolerated by adults who are also influenced by the mass media.

A Department of Education study said raunchy television shows and adult-like clothes are forcing children to grow up too quickly. Explicit advertising campaigns and “too adult” soap operas were also to blame.

Many people have pointed this out. Chart topping songwriter Mike Stock said: “Pop music is an unmistakable descent into pornography” and Dame Shirley Bassey criticised today’s pop stars for setting a bad example in their “competition” to wear the most revealing outfits rather than singing the best songs.

Actor David Jason, master of comedy in the Darling Buds of May and Only Fools and Horses, said he had to shield his daughter from crude TV and former BBC chief John Birt said that British TV has become increasingly cynical and cruel and urged the media to embrace the public virtues, however unfashionable, like courtesy, fairness, integrity and compassion.

Sex has always been around and develops naturally without any help but when the sex industry and the politically correct fanatics start to interfere with our youngsters it’s time to stop it.

Who would have dreamt it would be wrong to call children “boys” and “girls”?

Unfortunately, trendy, progressive and politically correct types are in control so we can only expect more sex lessons and birth control advice in school.

My old granny would have been horrified by such nonsense.

Marian Stridiron, Gateshead