Mr Balls was launching a consultation that he hopes will open debateamong parents about children's safety. Proposals include a campaign toencourage parents to let children play outside.
He said, 'Through playing and positive activities, children and youngpeople learn to understand the opportunities and challenges in theworld, and how to be safe. I want parents to strike the right balancebetween protecting children and allowing them to learn and explore newsituations safely.'
The strategy includes plans to provide information for parents aboutrisks of harm faced by children and families through Sure Startchildren's centres.
There will be a public awareness campaign about how to identify andreport concerns about children's safety and to raise awareness of theneed to take responsibility for safeguarding children and youngpeople.
A national safeguarding awards scheme will highlight individualcontributions to improving children and young people's safety.
A cross-government plan will be published in response to theconsultation. Staying Safe runs until 31 October. Visitwww.everychildmatters.gov.uk/stayingsafe.