Children under the age of 10 should not be allowed to walk alone according to one-fourth of Russians.
In the contemporary world, parents face a growing concern about the safety of allowing their children to venture outside independently. The potential risks, such as getting lost, unfortunate accidents, or approaches by strangers, have become increasingly notable.
Technological advancements, however, offer a glimmer of hope in locating missing children with the use of drones and UAVs. Nevertheless, a substantial portion of Russians believes that children should not be left unsupervised until they commence their primary education, as suggested by a survey on the KP.RU website.
The survey findings revealed that approximately a quarter of respondents (25%) advocate for restricting unaccompanied outings for children under the age of 8-10. These respondents believe it is acceptable to allow them to play in the courtyard once they begin primary school.
A similar share, approximately 26%, considers children aged 10-13 competent enough to venture out alone. As they advance into their middle school years, they become more aware and independent, the respondents reasoned.
One-fifth of respondents (20%) insist on withholding unsupervised outings until children reach the age of 13-15 years. According to them, it is crucial to maintain supervision, particularly in big cities during these formative years.
Another 20% believe that children should not be granted unsupervised outings until they are 16-18 years old.
Interestingly, the survey revealed regional variations, with some parents in smaller towns and villages approving of letting children go out alone as young as 6-7 years old, and in a few cases, from 4-5 years old.
One participant noted, "In our small town, everyone knows each other, and my child will be six in August. He already rides his bike alone with a friend, always with his phone. He knows where he can go and where he can't."
Another respondent reminisced about their eldest child playing alone in the courtyard from the age of four, adding that they kept an eye on him via the window and allowed him to return home when he requested assistance. A third noted, "A child can be allowed to go to the courtyard alone from 6-7 years old. They have started school, so they should learn to be independent. Plus, there are plenty of gadgets for monitoring now."
The survey was conducted among KP.RU website subscribers across various social media platforms (VKontakte, Odnoklassniki) and messaging apps (Telegram, Viber), garnering the participation of 4,900 individuals.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness, the use of technology like drones and UAVs in locating missing children could contribute to family health by reducing the risk of lost or endangered children in public places.
- The science of child development suggests that children aged 10-13 become more aware and independent, making them capable of managing unsupervised outings for health and wellness purposes, according to survey respondents.
- General news and discussions, such as the KP.RU survey, offer insights into parenting practices and opinions on family health matters, like the appropriate age for allowing children to venture outside independently.
