State backs texting to improve parenting

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The government is setting aside £34 million to develop ways to support parents using text messages and social networks, it was announced today.

Under the new initiative, "Parent Know-How", parents will be able to receive SMS and instant messages with information on a range of issues from obesity to bullying to academic performance or seek advice from other parents on social networking sites. It will also bring together existing resources such as websites and telephone help lines.

"We want to support those parents who seek help with bringing up their children," said Kevin Brennan, the Children and Families Minister. "By improving phone line support and setting up text messages, instant messages and social networks, we will provide help for parents when it suits them best."

The £34 million in funding for 2008 to 2011 will be split, with £10.5 million to be spent on improving telephone helplines and £23 million going into an innovation fund to encourage support services to find new ways to reach parents.

Procurement of new technologies starts next week and is expected to end in December 2007.

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