What age can you start leaving your child home alone?

Asked by: Paula Thompson  |  Last update: May 7, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (59 votes)

Most children will not be mature enough to manage being alone on a regular basis until they are about 10 or 11 years old. However, some parents may be OK leaving a more mature 8- or 9-year-old home alone for a half hour or so once in a while.

What is the youngest age you can stay home alone?

Most social workers agreed a child should be at least 12 years old before being left home alone, the survey revealed.

Can I leave my 8 year old son home alone?

8 to 10 Years - Should not be left alone for more than 11⁄2 hours and only during daylight and early evening hours. 11 to 12 Years - May be left alone for up to 3 hours but not late at night or in circumstances requiring inappropriate responsibility. 13 to 15 Years - May be left unsupervised, but not overnight.

Can a 10 year old go out by themselves?

There are very few expert opinions pinpointing the exact age children should be when go out alone because each child, family and situation has so many variables. The age range falls between age 8 and 12. Under the age of 7, kids are unlikely to be able to care for themselves.

Can a 13 year old look after a 9 year old?

Experts recommend that: A child should be at least 12 years old before being left alone at home and at least 15 years old before they can care for a younger sibling.

Study: At What Age Can You Leave Your Child Home Alone?

28 related questions found

Can my 12 year old babysit my 6 year old?

The AAP advises that a person must be at least 12 years old to take on the responsibility of watching young children and mature enough to handle common emergencies.

What can you legally do at age 13?

At 13
  • You can have a part-time job, with some restrictions.
  • You can have an account on a social networking site like Facebook or Twitter.

At what age can a child walk home alone?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children are typically ready to walk to school without parents, grandparents or other guardians present at around age 10. “Younger children are more impulsive and less cautious around traffic,” the medical association said in an article published in 2023.

Is Wednesday appropriate for 12 year olds?

Wednesday is rated TV-14 for violence, fear, and profanity, which means it may not be suitable for children under 14 years old.

What should a 10 year old be able to do independently?

10 Life Skills Your Children Should Know by Age 10
  • How to Clean. ...
  • How to Find their Way Home. ...
  • How to Make Healthy Choices. ...
  • How to Use Basic Tools. ...
  • How to Prepare a Simple Meal. ...
  • How to Manage Money. ...
  • How to Have Good Manners. ...
  • How to Show Gratitude.

Can a 9 year old have a phone?

Many experts suggest waiting to give your kids a smart phone until they are at least 13 years old or in 8th grade. "Try not to give into the peer pressure when your child says everyone else has a phone, so I need one too," she said. Dr.

How long can a 9 year old stay home alone in Texas?

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recommends children under 12 years old not be left at home alone. However, Texas law does not explicitly state how old a child must be to stay at home alone.

Can a 9 year old have a crush?

Age 6 to 9

It's between the ages of 6 and 9 that kids usually start having crushes.

What is the youngest age to be left alone?

babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone. children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time. children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight. NSPCC website.

Is a 11 year old OK at home alone?

8 to 10 years – Should not be left alone for more than 1 or 2 hours and only be left alone during daytime and early evening hours. 11 to 12 Years – Can be left alone for up to 3 hours, but not late at night or in conditions that require the child to be responsible in a way they are not yet suited for.

Can you go to jail for leaving a child home alone in California?

You could face significant jail time and fines of up to $2000 per offense if convicted. It's a crime not to provide a minor child with their basic needs, such as clothing, food, and shelter.

Is TikTok ok for 12 year olds?

TikTok is available for people at least 13 years old (or other ages as indicated in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service). If you're located in the U.S. and have a child under 13 years old, you can learn more about how they may create an account to access a TikTok experience specifically designed for them.

Is if appropriate for a 7 year old?

This is a movie for tweens and older. It's not a comedy and it's not a kids movie. It's a sentimental semi-artsy atmosphere piece with a slow pace. It's ultimately about a 12 year old girl's tragic loss, and the semi-fun/magical world that helps her cope through it.

Is it ok for a 10 year old to watch Wednesday?

Wednesday, season one, is self-rated by Netflix M with offensive language and violence. Now I should know better! An M age rating means suitable for ages 16 years and older. And despite my friend's opinion that it was fun and suitable for her children that doesn't mean it's readily suitable for my children.

Is it illegal for a child to walk to the store?

The law says nothing at all about what age an unaccompanied person must be. A privately owned business has the right to set rules about why will and will not be admitted. But unless the store posts a sign stating that minors can't enter without an adult, any person of any age can enter a store.

What age can a child go to bus stop alone?

There is no magic age at which a child can walk home safely from school or the bus stop. That depends on her maturity and the safety of the neighborhood. Even so, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that children ages 9 to 11 — who have good judgment — are ready to start.

Is it illegal to move out at 13?

Children cannot petition to be emancipated until they are at least 16 years old in most states; in some places like California, minors as young as 14 can be emancipated. Once a minor is legally emancipated, parents no longer have to feed, house, or pay child support for the emancipated minor.

Why is turning 13 a big deal?

13 is a milestone birthday – a huge deal for all involved. Both child and parents will come face to face with new realities. The climb up the mountain of the teen years requires new equipment, endurance, a route map, and a team. There are obstacles ahead, but there are also breathtaking vistas along the way.

What is the youngest age to go to jail?

There is no minimum age for criminal responsibility. Children below age 14 can only face incarceration if they are proven to have enough discernment between right and wrong. Incarceration starting at age 14. Other measures applied for ages 12–13.