Would you let your 16-17 year old do this?

[Anonymous]

My 16 (almost 17) year old is going to Boston for a one day event with people she met on line several years ago, who have since become good friends. Would you let her fly up by herself, take public transportation to the venue, and then fly home that evening? She is very comfortable with DC public transportation and good at finding her way around. The alternative is that I'd fly up with her.

[Anonymous]

What’s your level of confidence that they are who child thinks they are?

[Anonymous]

Is she a young 16 or an old 17?

What neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

I would let my 16 year old do this, yes. But I know lots of people in the Boston area, and if something went sideways I’d have people to go help. The most likely problems are with flights. What will she do if the return flight is canceled? Teens generally can’t rent hotel rooms, so it can be a problem. As long as you have plans for help if she gets stuck I think it’s fine!

[Anonymous]

My concern would be less the travel logistics and more the online "friends"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My concern would be less the travel logistics and more the online "friends"

This more or less.

[Anonymous]

Have you seen these friends with your own eyes? The traveling part is fine - Boston is super to easy to navigate via public transportation.

[Anonymous]

It all depends on the kid. My 16 year old is very “young” and naive and eoukd get easily lost, confused or overwhelmed.

[Anonymous]

Yes, and I have (at 15), also for a one day in and out. He was fine. Depends on the kid. Also, you have to make sure the airline permits it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It all depends on the kid. My 16 year old is very “young” and naive and eoukd get easily lost, confused or overwhelmed.

Just to add - so the idea of her in a different state without me…would make me very nervous. I trust her, but not other people and I imagine she could be easily taken advantage of, or in a novel/unexpected situation that she doesn’t know how to navigate.

I’m impressed with OP’s kid’s independence and savvy.

[Anonymous]

You want to let your female child fly to another city to meet strangers she met online alone? Isn't that like the first thing we tell kids NOT to do?

[Anonymous]

What if her return flight is cancelled? (not a stretch these days) No hotels that you would feel comfortable with would allow such a young teen spend the night unaccompanied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You want to let your female child fly to another city to meet strangers she met online alone? Isn't that like the first thing we tell kids NOT to do?

+100. It’s on line friends that yiu haven’t met at all and so no way would I send her.

[Anonymous]

This sounds like the headlines to a kidnapping /rape story.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not.