Legal home alone age in your opinion?

Brad · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 6:33 am

Like many other people, I believe it depends very much on the child. I wasn't left alone, even for a few hours, until I was 13-14. But that's just because my parents were so overprotective. I think 12+ is fine for a few hours and 15-16 for anything longer than that.

Adbot · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 6:33 am

Vaskor · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 10:46 am

It depends on a child and also (a LOT) on an environment and culture where he/she lives. I personally don't think there should be a law about it.

In my childhood, I was allowed to use public transportation alone at age of 7 and at age of 13 I was left for a week in a summer house in early spring (snow on a ground) without water and electricity but with 6 years old brother to look after and a task to cut and chop 50 years old oak.

In some countries and cultures people get married and have their own children at 13-14 or even earlier.

Sebastian · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 12:50 pm

I was home alone at like... 8 I think

And it depends whether or not they can be trusted.

Chris · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 2:22 pm

I was left home alone around 9 or 10, and had no trouble with it. But I think the minimum for staying overnight would be at least 16.

Dragon · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 4:32 pm

I think that it should be 14 years or older no matter what. After that for extended periods of time it should go down to trust and maturity.

Rapidash · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 5:24 pm

Mushroom Queen wrote:

I don't think that children under 16 should be left home alone for more than 3-4 hours. It's up to the parent to arrange for people to look after them. Expecting all children to have the maturity to look after themselves is neglectful in a way.

I've been staying at home for 10+ hours a day myself since I was 13. My sister was supposed to be there too, most of the time, but she's only 15 months older than I am and she left most of the time with her boyfriend/friends. So when I wasn't out, I was home alone. And I'm 15 now :roll:

Adbot · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 5:24 pm

Burnt Joint · **Posted:** August 28th, 2007, 10:07 pm

I think for 2-3 hours 11 is fine, any longer than that, and it should be 13+
you have to think about what the younger kids are going to do when their parents aren't home, because they can do anything they want. So you have to of course make sure that the child has a respectful level of maturity. But other than that, I think it's fine.

Shadow Assassin · **Posted:** August 31st, 2007, 8:10 am

Yeah depends how long u have to stay for like 1 or 2 hours I think 12+ is fine.

Ryan · **Posted:** August 31st, 2007, 8:25 am

I babysit my 4 year old cousin and 9 year old sister when there are no adults around, and I'm 13. I even get paid for it :lol:

zvono · **Posted:** August 31st, 2007, 9:19 am

CreepyPirate wrote:

zvono wrote:

There is a law about that? :-s

Yes. I -think- the legal age here is 18. Your parents are held responsible if something happens when you're at home alone.

Haha, well not here!

Steven · **Posted:** August 31st, 2007, 8:57 pm

Well, here it is 11, but I think it should be 12.