What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

At 12 I would let DD and a friend (who I knew was a good kid) wander around, checking in with me every hour (I brought a book and hung out). At 13 I let her loose.

For me, the big thing was shoplifting. I trusted DD not to, but didn't trust all her friends not to.

report

04/11/2019 23:43

Subject: Re:What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

Where I live the answer is never. The city passed a law over 20 years ago no persons under 18 can be in the mall unless accompanied by a parent or another adult.

No exceptions.

But personally, I wouldn't be comfortable letting my kids go there alone. You never know what nasty evil person is prowling for. Lots of serial rapists and killers used/use the malls as their target rich areas. Even with a cell phone I still would not allow it.

It's just not safe.

report

04/12/2019 00:06

Subject: Re:What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Where I live the answer is never. The city passed a law over 20 years ago no persons under 18 can be in the mall unless accompanied by a parent or another adult.

No exceptions.

But personally, I wouldn't be comfortable letting my kids go there alone. You never know what nasty evil person is prowling for. Lots of serial rapists and killers used/use the malls as their target rich areas. Even with a cell phone I still would not allow it.

It's just not safe.

and what "city" is this?

report

04/12/2019 00:13

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

Predators love malls! They can easily see the girls who want to be acting "grown up".

report

04/12/2019 00:27

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

[quote=Anonymous]Please share your experience [/quote]

assuming a high level of maturity and responsibility - probably 15, with the understanding that I will be tracking them via Life360 AND that if they don't answer my texts I'm calling out the National Guard.

report

04/12/2019 01:40

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

I say 12/13 too.

report

04/12/2019 02:40

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

Back in the day my friends and I were doing this around age 12/13. This was before cell phones.

report

04/12/2019 05:56

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

For eldest, her friends started doing it in sixth grade, age 11. We wouldn't allow it. She kept showing us photos on Instagram of all her friends at the mall. We didn't care. End of seventh grade we allowed it, with us there hanging out at the food court and she had to check in every 45 minutes. Eighth grade we completely allowed it. So starting when they are 13. And we have conversations about a large group stopping in the middle of the walkway, blocking other shoppers, in stores, Etc. How they shouldn't annoy people who are there to shop, they need to be aware of groupthink - I too was worried about friends shoplifting..

report

04/12/2019 06:45

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Back in the day my friends and I were doing this around age 12/13. This was before cell phones.

With 15 cents to call home when we were ready for pick-up, and just hoping we didn't get a busy signal! Or we'd just hop on the Metro bus and go home.

report

04/12/2019 06:52

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

We thought 14, but it happened at 12 due to miscommunication with another parent “I’m taking the girls to the mall.” meant I’m dropping them off, not we’re shopping together. And it was okay.

report

04/12/2019 07:01

Subject: Re:What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

My DD did for the first time with her friends this winter in 8th grade. (she thought it was a boring way to spend an afternoon)

DS and his BFF have been doing it since 6th grade.

report

04/12/2019 07:03

Subject: Re:What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

Anonymous wrote:Where I live the answer is never. The city passed a law over 20 years ago no persons under 18 can be in the mall unless accompanied by a parent or another adult.

No exceptions.

But personally, I wouldn't be comfortable letting my kids go there alone. You never know what nasty evil person is prowling for. Lots of serial rapists and killers used/use the malls as their target rich areas. Even with a cell phone I still would not allow it.

It's just not safe.

The statistical likelihood of a stranger abduction is extremely, extremely low. I would not worry about this happening to a teenage girl with her friends at the mall.

I remember being let loose at the mall with my cousins or friends around age 12 or 13. I’d probably do the same with my daughter when she is that age, although I’d probably stick around at the mall if I’m going to drive all the way there (we're in DC ).

report

04/12/2019 07:22

Subject: What age is appropriate to drop off girls for couple hours to hang out at the shopping mall?

quote

Anonymous

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Please share your experience [/quote]

assuming a high level of maturity and responsibility - probably 15, with the understanding that I will be tracking them via Life360 AND that if they don't answer my texts I'm calling out the National Guard. [/quote]

Good grief.