Sex education will be included in a safety program for children launched in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, on Wednesday.

The program also offers psychological counseling, which will be provided by volunteers for migrant and left-behind children, News Express reported.

"Most parents have a misunderstanding that sex education can start in adolescent stage and if started too early, it can mislead children. Actually, the question of 'where I came from' by a child, usually at the age of 3, signals the start of sex awareness. Parents should start sex education on children in kindergarten," said Li Zisheng, head of Guangzhou Chuangyicang Social Development Center.

The volunteer group is developing a mobile phone application for children's sex education, Li said.

liwenfang@chinadaily.com.cn