Children with smart phones causing concern for Dorset's Police & Crime Commissioner
David Sidwick says they're being exposed to all sorts of information
The man in charge of overseeing Dorset Police has raised concern about the number of young children with smart phones.
David Sidwick says they're essentially being given computers, exposing them to all sorts of information.
It's after reports children as young as eight are involved in drug dealing in Dorset.
The county's Police and Crime Commissioner says it needs to be addressed.
Mr Sidwick said:
"Parents now sometimes give mobile phones to children as young as 7. It's like the transition between infant to junior school. I think we have to have greater awareness around that. You're giving them a computer and that gives them access to everything else on the internet.
"It gives them access to terrorist groups, who we know are grooming children as young as 10. It also gives them access to drug talk and drug behaviours."
David Sidwick is also worried about what they're learning via their mobiles.
"You are opening up a whole world to a very young person."
The Police and Crime Commissioner says we need to have 'greater awareness' about the issues when talking with primary school children and their parents.