An MP has backed a petition to introduce legal standards on social media after an Instagram account was being used to groom and snare young schoolgirls.

Adam Holloway (Con), member of parliament for Gravesham, praised the petition in a letter he sent to creator Charlotte Giles, 26.

Earlier this month Miss Giles helped expose an Instagram account named s_x.in.maidstone.u16s that was being used attract young girls, in Maidstone.

She reported it but was left frustrated when the social media giant said none of it's terms were violated and the account was left open to followers.

The construction worker then created an online petition to introduce new procedures when reporting 'disturbing accounts'.

It has currently received nearly 300 signatures and needs 10,000 for the Government to respond.

MP Holloway saw the petition and praised Miss Giles for her efforts.

In a letter sent on Wednesday, November 28, he wrote: "Thank you for your recent correspondence in which you tell me of your concerns about a social media account you came across and, in particular, the difficulties you experienced getting the account shut down.

"Your experience is a very worrying one and I share your dismay that it took so long to get an account like this closed.

"Where young people are concerned, any delay in weeding out such threats to their safety is unacceptable. I am impressed that your experience has motivated you to started an e-petition on this important issue and I wish you luck with it.

"I have made written representations on your behalf to Jeremy Wright, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and I will let you know as soon as I get a response from him."

The Gravesend Road resident, who grew up in Northfleet, followed up the letter with an email after she didn't hear from Mr Wright within the week.

Mr Holloway then sent a second letter on Wednesday, December 5, explaining that he would not expect to receive a response from the minister for another couple of weeks.

He then advised the 26-year-old that her best course of action would be to wait for a reply and alter her petition afterwards, but said it is a problem the Government are looking to address.

Miss Giles revealed she was concerned that a petition of this importance hasn't gained as much interest as a recent petition to ban members of the public buying fireworks, which received more than 256,000 signatures.

She said: "Adam's response was really quick and it was nice to hear how thrilled he was that I am attempting to do something about it.

"The petition is concerning, as you can see hundreds of thousands have taken to a petition for banning the public from buying fireworks yet mine has hit around 300.

"I think that in itself begs the question, what is our priority as the public, as parents, or as grandparents.

"Is it because fireworks are heard/seen whereas online social media grooming is a taboo subject, not widely spoken about as a serious concern?

"I am hoping for some support in ensuring the standards are introduced for reporting tools on social media, I am keen to work with charities and organisations who support the need for social media grooming to be spoken about and essentially to not even be able to happen.

"How do we stop these accounts from being live and active in the first place?

"I would hope to see a need for account verification before any accounts are set up, that being a passport copy or identification to prove who we say we are."