Dads Debate: When Can A Kid Be Dropped Off At The Mall?

Is 12 too young to be dropped off at the mall?

The dads of our incredible Facebook community chimed in on the subject when a fellow Life of Dad user asked for advice and opinions. Here’s a composite look at where dads stand on the best age for unsupervised public drop offs.

Brad Boza: When we were 12? No perfectly fine, but those were different times. These days, it’s too young. Young girls look older and creeps are creepier and even more dangerous.

Jimmy Geck: I’m overprotective but some of you are insane. At 12 I was walking several miles to the card store and my moms work. Random abductions are so rare its not really an issue. She’s 100x more likely to have an issue on the ride to the mall with her dad. 12 with friends in a busy mall is about as safe as it gets if she’s trustworthy.

Jon Zachow: Yes, she’s not mature enough at that age to make all the right moves if someone does try to abduct. Hell most adults don’t know what to do. Does she have any self defense training? Yes I know she’s 12 before anyone starts chiming in but children should learn it early and well. 12 is too young. I would let them go and say I’ll give you space but I’ll be withing eye sight.

Bradley Paul Amdahl: Suggest you will kind of chaperone the trip for the first time or something… not saying smother your daughter and her friends, but maybe go sit in the food court for a bite or something while they do their thing.. at least you’d be nearby.

William Goss Crocker: Many factors come into play before you can make this decision. First off what’s your opinion on the mall? I know of several in my area and a few I wouldn’t let my kid ever go to alone vs others which are fine for kids. If she has a cellphone, her friends are trustworthy, and the mall is safe I don’t see why she shouldn’t be allowed. Compromise with your wife and sit in the food court (or wherever), don’t follow your daughter around, and let them know that if there is any problem you are minutes away.

Jack Gardner: I like the food court idea if you are apprehensive. It’s a good compromise and you can out weigh the over protectiveness vibe by buying the girls lunch. Your daughter isn’t statistically more likely to get abducted now than 20 years ago. The press coverage is just more.

That being said apprehensiveness makes children LESS prepared in emergency situations. More freedom better prepates children for freedom. (I am commenting on the parents that don’t let children 1 year away from college go to the mall alone) this is a perfect chance to let your daughter experiment with freedom.

Craig Hingston: Educate, educate educate.
Shes with her mates.
2 hrs at the mall is teaching her to be independent.
As long as you are comfortable with the people she is hanging out with. As long as you are comfortable knowing the parents of the children she will be hanging out with then everything SHOULD be okay.
Don’t stress.
The only time you stress is if she is not at the arranged spot where you are picking her up from.
Good luck mate.

Cullen Monk: Well, time of day makes no difference. Someone can have something terrible happen to them at any time during the day, so don’t think she’s safer in the afternoon than at night.
I wouldn’t let my 12 year old go out with other 12 year olds by themselves. That’s too young.

Kendra Sahami: At 12 I was taking the bus across town to see movies with my friends and this was before everyone had cellphones. Malls have security guards and store employees that can help. I’ve seen how great Calgary Security Guards work. She’s probably just as safe there as she is at school.

Tim Lienau: It would depend on the area, I live in michigan close to great lakes crossing and there is no way I would let my 12 year old daughter go without adult supervision. We’re too close to Canadian boarders and I’ve heard too many horror stories from that mall to even consider letting her go alone or with friends.

Mike Denis: Just check her purse or back pack. Every Saturday night they have Rock and bowl at the mall bowling alley. I watch the girls get dropped off wearing appropriate clothing but when parents leave they go to washrooms and change into skimpy outfits girls their age shouldn’t wear. Just be aware.

Donald Lee Bowen: My 12 year old wanted to do this too. So I told her I would take her and a friend to the mall. They could go around the mall and shop while my son and I wandered around and did our thing. I told her to check in or text me every 30 minutes. It worked out well. Also she didn’t even know that we followed her for about half the time anyway.

When would you feel comfortable dropping your kids off at the mall? Tell us on Facebook.

Flickr photo by Sharaf, used under Creative Commons license.