When our kids were 7 and 5 they started walking home from school alone. We wrote explaining they were ready and giving permission, the school had a few reasonable questions, and that was it. Just kids walking home from the local public school like they have in this neighborhood for generations.

Online, however, it's common for people to write as if this sort of thing is long gone. Zvi captures a common view:

You want to tell your kids, go out and play, be home by dinner, like your father and his father before him. But if you do, or even if you tell your kids to walk the two blocks to school, eventually a policeman will show up at your house and warn you not to do it again, or worse. And yes, you'll be the right legally, but what are you going to [...]

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First published:
June 8th, 2025

Source:
https://www.lesswrong.com/posts/KvB28n3CPwourTFFW/letting-kids-be-outside

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Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.

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Images from the article:

Children playing in rain puddles while wearing colorful raincoats.

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“Letting Kids Be Outside” by jefftk 08:18 Share

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“Letting Kids Be Outside” by jefftk