But viewers watching at home branded the notion of preventing children from having one best friend 'ridiculous'. 'Some children don't have a best friend, I didn't have a best friend, if I did have a best friend I think it's because no one wanted to be friends with us.' She continued: 'Boys don't have best friends, they have mates whereas girls have a best friend. Dr Rackley explained: 'Where best friends really come into their own is with children who have no siblings so that best friend can be a substitute brother or sister. 'The best friend is the only supportive relationship that child might have so pulling that away might actually damage the child more than letting the child have a best friend.'

Source: Daily Mail January 19, 2018 10:52 UTC