RTÉ has said it has removed a link from its website to the Children’s Books Ireland site, which features a LGBTQ+ reading guide, for ‘age appropriateness’ reasons.
It said the RTÉ KIDS Book Club, for ages 2-12, features an article this month authored by and attributed to Children’s Books Ireland, which details six books suitable for children in that age group.
It said the article was edited following publication to remove a link at the end to the Children’s Books Ireland website which contains a ‘Read with Pride Guide’ list of over 100 books suitable for extended age groups from 0-18 years.
It said the link was removed to ensure “the age appropriateness of resources for the RTÉ KIDS audience profile of up to 12 years old.”
It said the RTE KIDS Book Club, featuring the six books remains online and available to read.
It added that RTÉ had not featured the book ‘What’s the T?’, which is recommended for ages 15+.
The book, which is included on the wider Children’s Books Ireland list, has been described has a “guide written primarily for trans, non-binary, and questioning teens” with other descriptions saying it “offers uncensored advice on coming out, sex and relationships.”
Yesterday, Minister for Children Norma Foley said she was not familiar with the book.
She also said she believed there should be parental supervision in general for those under 18, saying parents should be to the fore in adjudicating as to what is appropriate reading and what is not for their children.