Mexican crowned Miss Universe

LAS VEGAS – A 22-year-old Mexico woman has won the Miss Universe pageant after donning a flowing red gown and telling an audience that it’s important to teach kids family values.

Jimena Navarrete, of Guadalajara, was first to answer an interview question Monday night and the last of 83 contestants standing in the pageant on the Las Vegas Strip.

Asked by Olympic gold-medal skater Evan Lysacek how she felt about unsupervised Internet use, she said the Internet is important but parents need to be careful and watch over their kids.

“I do believe that Internet is an indispensable, necessary tool …,” she said. “We must be sure to teach them the values that we learned as a family.”

First runner-up was Miss Jamaica Yendi Phillipps; second runner-up was Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Navarrete replaces Miss Universe 2009 Stefania Fernandez of Venezuela.

Navarrete won a package of prizes including a luxury New York apartment.