At what age should kids start playing outside unsupervised?

In a bid to combat excessive screen time and the “scourge of addictive doomscrolling”, the government is being urged to take action to encourage children to play outside more – including the banning of “no ball game” signs in urban areas.

The report by the Raising the Nation Play Commission also recommends smartphone bans during the school day, raising the age of digital consent from 13 to 16, and tougher regulations to combat the “addictive grip of smartphones and social media.”

According to Play England, over 400 playgrounds closed across the UK between 2012-2022, coinciding with a £350million budget decrease for parks.

But before you usher your kids out the door and send them to the nearby park unsupervised, there are certain safety elements you should consider – including their age, temperament and geographical location.

Research by the NSPCC shows that while 59% of parents want their children to play more in person and not just on devices, a third cite safety concerns as the biggest barrier.

So, here’s what you need to know.

Is my child ready and at what age can they go outside alone?

Helen Westerman, head of local campaigns at the NSPCC, tells Yahoo UK: “There are tremendous benefits to children playing outside and developing independence as they grow older.

“There’s no legal age limit for when children can go out alone, so it’s crucial that parents weigh up the risks and benefits for their individual child. They know their child best, and factors like maturity, willingness to venture out, the location, and what activities they’re planning all need to be considered.”

She adds: “Parents could also be teaching them essential safety skills from a young age – like knowing their full name and address, road safety, and how to handle unexpected situations – in order to keep them safe.”

Generally speaking, Westerman says that many children begin asking to walk to school with friends or visit the local park independently during their final years of primary school, typically around the ages of 9-11.

“This is often good preparation for secondary school, where most will need to travel independently,” she says. “However, it’s important to build up to this gradually. Parents shouldn’t be tempted to agree after just one conversation but take time to create a plan with their children of how they can best be kept safe.”

What to consider before you let your child out unsupervised

Nicola Saunders, a BACP-accredited psychotherapist who specialises in parenting, tells Yahoo UK that there are certain things parents should ask themselves before they let their kids out unsupervised. They are:

1. At what age will I be comfortable letting my child go out by themselves?

2. What safety measures do I need to put in place before they go out alone?

3. What would be my child’s ideal scenario?

4. Are they able to cross the road safely alone?

5. Do they know what to do if they feel scared, alone or in trouble?

6. Do they know what to do if a stranger approaches them?

7. Do they know what to do if somebody offers them something like alcohol, cigarettes, vapes or even drugs?

8. Do you want to have a tracking app on their phone so you can see where they are?

When it comes to the boundaries you set your kids, they can come in different forms, according to Saunders: “For example, you could say to them ‘You can only go as far as the end of the road’; ‘I want you to have a phone so that you can contact me if needed;’ ‘I will let you play at the park whilst I am sitting at a safe distance initially – far enough away that you can feel independent, but close enough that I can ensure your safety.’”

She also stresses that parents’ confidence in letting their kids go out alone will vary depending on the child’s age and their child’s readiness. “Parents need to feel as comfortable as possible in allowing their child to go out to play, but initially, this will likely feel uncomfortable, and gradually extending the boundary will breed confidence in both the parent and child,” Saunders explains.

Finding a space to compromise is key, too. “Children need to feel safe and respected, and striking that balance is essential, especially when they start to become more independent. If you have a tracking app in place, the child should always know that.”

Ultimately, Saunders says the key for parents is knowing their child. “Every child is different based on multiple factors, but how they have been raised hugely influences their levels of maturity, ability to assess risk and decision-making.

“How we were raised as children often influences our decision-making as parents. However, we can’t rely on what was okay for us to provide us with all the information to make an informed choice as to whether it is safe for our children to go out into the world alone.”

She continues: “Parents are often very fearful of letting their children go outside alone, however, by the age of 11, it is often inevitable that they will begin to walk to school by themselves or catch the bus. Therefore, they need to be ready to navigate the world alone by this time, and as parents, we can provide them with a soft introduction to doing this by allowing them opportunities to be outside before this time.”

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