at what age?

[tjshorty]

At what age would you let your kids go off to play with out you being with them or accompanied by an adult?  The other day a woman was arrested charged with neglect because she let her seven year old go six block to the park on his own.  According to the news.  There isn't a law saying at what age you can let you kid go some where with out an adult.  It is handled on a case by case basis. 
I remember being about that age when I was playing outside on my own.  At the park or where ever.  I also realize times have changed and we live in a dangerous world.  I wouldn't let my grand child go by herself but that because of her.  Not that I fear someone hurting her.  She just isn't mature enough to be on her own.  Even though she says so.  I let her play outside by herself but I can see her most of the time or hear her and when I don't I go check.    So what do you think?  At what age do you let your kid go down the street alone?  I think it depends on the kid and the area in which I live.  I don't think the woman in this story should have been arrested.

[aflyingmonkey]

I think the statistics actually show that the crime has actually gone down from generations ago, so it is actually safer (non-internet) in today's world than ever.    HOWEVER, the perceived changing times increase in crime & danger have to do in part to the smaller world we live in, with social media, the internet, smart phones, etc... information about everything gets out so fast & en masse.    Back in the day, there was only the nightly news to report & the newspaper, and word of mouth, no efficiency at all in reporting so people were left in the dark & often things weren't even reported.

7 seems really young to let kids go to the park six blocks away.    Way too young.  What was the woman doing that she couldn't watch her own child at play in the park, what was more important to her than watching her child.    6 blocks is VERY far for a second grader to venture, it's not just out in front of the house.

She should have a visit from social services, & some parenting classes.   Arresting seems overkill, but I don't know the circumstances fully.

[rpse1927]

I think 15 is old enough to go out and play