The ISPCC has welcomed a decision by the French parliament to ban children from entering beauty pageants until they reach 16 years of age.

Anyone found entering a child into such a contest will now face up to €30,000 in fines and/or two years in prison.

The ISPCC said it supports this decision because children's pageants are ‘another example of the early sexualisation of children today'.

"Children are being thrust into the adult ideals of external aspects of attractiveness. They are portrayed as ‘mini-adults' and are being denied the innocence of childhood," the organisation said.

It noted that these pageants focus on looks and often involve provocative clothing.

According to ISPCC spokesperson, Andrew Jackson, there is a big difference between these pageants and children playing dress-up.

"Children who play dress up are doing so in the safety of their own home and they are engaging in imaginative play. They are not being directed by adults, they are not being judged on their appearance, they are just being children," he explained.

The organisation emphasised that by focusing on children's appearance, these pageants can have a negative impact on a child's self-image and self-worth.

It said that it is ‘hugely concerned' about the early sexualisation of children that can be seen in child beauty pageants.

"Exposure to such activities can be very harmful and the ISPCC would like to see similar steps taken in Ireland to protect children from such harm," it added.