The truth about children who lie.

Psychotherapist Philippa Perry explores lying amongst children and young people. She considers how their attitude to lying changes over time, what circumstances prompt them to lie, and whether it is actually something to be concerned about. She first speaks with Ian Leslie, author of Born Liars, about how children lie and the link between lying and human evolution. Dr Victoria Talwar from McGill University in Canada discusses how lying is a major part of childrens development, and can give insight into child psychology. A group of seven year olds tell Philippa how they feel about lying, and she considers the different motivations people have when lying. An example from the BBC sitcom Outnumbered is given and Ian Leslie talks about when lies are acceptable and when they arent. On the other hand, philosopher and neuroscientist Sam Harris says that children should never be taught to lie. Julia Raeside, TV critic for The Guardian, discusses how lying is presented to children on TV and whether TV normalises it. Philippa then speaks with Margaret Connell, former headmistress of her daughters school, who believes that all children lie and parents must come to terms with that. Dr Talwars research demonstrates how a punitive stance to lying actually teaches children to lie much more effectively. Students from Haringey Sixth Form College then describe the lies they tell most often, to either protect their parents from worrying or to reassure their teachers. Whilst Margaret Connell says that people grow out of lying, the students and Philippa agree that adults dont stop lying at all, they just get better at hiding it.