News

Children’s charities have strongly criticised the decision by parents of an 11-year-old girl to implant a microchip in her arm so her whereabouts can be tracked.

Danielle Duval is due to be implanted with the microchip at Reading University in the next few weeks. The procedure costs around £20.

Tink Palmer, principal policy and practice officer at Barnardo’s, said that she had "grave reservations" about the procedure, which she considers ill thought out.

"We need to think about the ethical issues and the psychological impact on the young person," she said. "I’d far rather this didn’t happen. Surely we should be trying to teach children about being sensible and safe."

Meanwhile, the Children’s Society stressed that 'microchipping' avoids the "real issue" of how to ensure children are brought up in a safe environment.