Kids Walking Home Alone From School...

[MadMen]

I have just seen two kids from my childs school, walk past on their own.
The one is 10 and the other (his sister) is 7.
Do you think this is too young to be walking home on their own? I know (roughly) where they live and it's quite a distance from the school, with a couple of very busy main roads.

I think it's too young, but do you think it depends on the individual child/children?

[FredPuli43]

What are the chances of a child being snatched by a paedophile? That's just being paranoid. I used to walk a mile to school at 5, and walk half a mile to catch the bus to my school in town, 8 miles away, at 7. That was usual. We had paedophiles and child murderers back then; anybody would think that they'd just been invented.

If the child is sensible, and knows and understands road drill, 7 is perfectly safe

[ummmm]

I agree Triggs...I went and got mine before that but school was 2.5 miles away. They didn't even walk with me though...they'd meet with friends on the way and I had to walk two spaces behind.

[magsmay]

It is not being paranoid looking out for your children - there are a lot more things to worry about these days -not just paedophiles and traffic. Its alright saying 'I used to walk to school 3 miles and no harm every came to me'- so did I -in 1968! There are more dangers about these days. When I was 14 -and looked 14 -i was walking up a country lane after riding my horse and a man stopped in a car and offered me a lift home -I said no and he then said he was a policeman and it was ok to get in - thankfully I was not stupid enough to get in the car but if there had been two of them I would not have stood a chance -so please don't preach about it never happening in 'those' days because it did I know . Its my choice to not let my child out on their own, I am not criticising anyones choice to do so either - and I do not appreciate being accused of being paranoid!

[hc4361]

What are these extra dangers, magsmay?
The only difference between now and 1968 as far as I can tell is more traffic.

[Mick-Talbot]

Far more traffic today though , Fred.

[joko]

you say, 'what chance would he have if someone tried to snatch him?'

well... none really ... if someone is intent on snatching they will probably succeed ... but then what chance do you suppose a 12 year old will have?
against a grown man - or 2 - intent on taking them? or a 14 year old?
admitted some 14 year olds are large and the size of a man - but most are not....where do you stop?
even grown women get snatched - and even men occasionally.
some kids get snatched right in front of parent and they could not stop it.
you cannot prevent it if they have planned it.

point is, the worry should be about crossing roads safely, not getting lost, not talking to strangers etc - letting kids think they are likely to be snatched and any given moment will make them fearful of life.

as stated, it depends on the child in question