IT really is a shame we’ve now reached the point with the inherent dangers of children featuring on social media that parents are being banned from filing their own sons and daughters taking part in Nativity plays.

One school in Scarborough says that pupils could be “at risk of harm” if footage is posted on line and later shared by paedophiles. And they are by no means the only ones preventing parents from filming school productions for this reason.

Really, what is the world coming to when innocent enjoyment of your children taking part in this traditional and touching event is stopped because it could result in youngsters being placed in jeopardy?

I don’t blame the schools at all for this decision – it’s very much a sign of the times. At least they are making parents more alert to possible dangers and, on this occasion, removing youngsters from harm’s way.