Children Need Dirt and Bacteria to be Healthy

Parents who are paranoid about cleanliness and infection could be damaging their children's immune systems in early life, according to a new survey. Scientists believe today's children, known as the "Playstation generation", could also be weakening their immune system because they no longer play outside. Six out of 10 people told the ICM poll they believed children should be protected from all bacteria, not realising that some exposure is crucial to building up the immune system. Parents are obsessed by keeping their children in a "sterile bubble" of anti-bacterial wipes, sprays and antibiotics, according to the poll.