THIS Morning viewers were left outraged earlier today when a sexual behaviour expert claimed that children as young as EIGHT should be taught about masturbation.

Kate Dawson told hosts Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford that while she doesn't personally work with children younger than 11, she believes that those over the age of eight should be educated on sex, porn, and "self-pleasuring".

3 Kate's opinions outraged This Morning viewers

She explained: "When we work in primary schools I think it's very important to talk about exploring your bodies in a private place.

"It's what most people do and I think boys are more comfortable talking about it [than girls]."

Kate also claimed that 60 per cent of young adults first saw porn under the age of 13, which is why it is so important to educate children at a young age.

Fans at home were disgusted by the remarks and flocked to social media to share their view.

3 Eamonn confessed that he understood Kate's stance by the end of the chat

When are children taught about sex in schools? Kate Dawson believes that children as young as eight should be taught about masturbation, porn, and sex - but what is currently taught in schools? In the UK, sex education is not compulsory until children are in Year 7 at 11 years old. Although the basic concept of reproduction is introduced to children as young as six in Year 2, children of this age are not taught about sex or how reproduction occurs. They are simply introduced to the idea of animals, including humans, having offspring that grow into adults. In Year 5, aged between nine and 10 years old, students will learn about puberty and the life cycle of animals and humans - including reproduction.



One wrote: "For goodness sake keep children as children they grow up far too quickly now and eight is far too young to be taught about sex and masturbation at school."

Another added: "Big no-no, kids shouldn't be taught about masturbation at aged 8, kids should be kids."

A third tweeted: "My son is seven years old. If he got taught about masturbation I would be absolutely disgusted! I want to keep him as innocent as I can!"

Omg #ThisMorning no thank you do not want my young child to learn about masturbation - can you let children be children please! @EamonnHolmes @thismorning 🙄 — TheRealTweeter (@Missy_Nat20) January 18, 2019

#ThisMorning

Teaching 8 year olds about masturbation??



What is it with sexualising children?



Let kids be kids! — The .eXe Files (@TroofWarrior) January 18, 2019

3 The chat 'disgusted' viewers

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Even Eamonn confessed that he was initially "taken aback" by Kate's stance, but insisted that he understood more following their chat.

He told the pro: "I'm the sort of person who says 'thank goodness there's someone like Kate around because I can just leave it [the talks] to her."

However, Kate encouraged parents to have "short and simple" conversations with their children about all aspects of sex and sexual activities.

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