How Old Should a Child Be to Be Dropped Off at the Mall Alone?

Teens hanging out in malls seems like a good idea, because most malls have security, providing for a safe place to meet with friends. When teens want to hang out alone at the mall, however, parents are faced with a tough decision. How young is too young to be left alone among strangers? The answer is not a clear-cut one as it is subjective and lies within your teen and the local policies or laws. Because of the various factors, there is no set age for being left at the mall alone.

  1. Know Your Child

    • Talk to your child about money, marketing, shoplifting and strangers. Get a feel for what your child understands about each topic. If your child does not yet understand the value of money, how marketers target teens, that shoplifting has dire consequences or that strangers shouldn't be trusted, do not drop her off at the mall alone. Teens mature at different rates, no matter the gender, and some teens are fine with a trip alone; others need more time to mature before taking that step.

    Check the Mall Policy

    • Malls are beginning to crack down on teens hanging out, implementing strict teen policies. Some areas dictate that a person cannot be alone in the mall until age 18. Other places have dictated that a parent must be on the premises, but not necessarily with the child in person. It is always a good idea to check the mall's policies before dropping off your teen. Often, the mall offices will explain the policies in place.

    Social Norms

    • While some teens are mature enough to handle the mall alone, many people believe that pre-teens still need parental supervision. For example, in 2007, a Montana woman faced criminal charges for letting her 13-year-old go to the mall alone. While she thought it was OK, others were opposed to it and reported her. Check the local laws on unattended children before letting your child loose in the mall. Montana's laws are strict, and the mom was charged with child endangerment.

    Go With Your Child

    • If your child asks you to be dropped off alone, insist on going with her the first few times to monitor how she conducts herself. Shop with her a few times then let her roam alone, while you wait close at hand. You will be able to judge your teen and understand if she is mature enough to handle the area on her own. If you still want to find out if your child can handle the mall on her own, let her go alone for a short period of time. The time frame can be extended as she earns your trust.

    Meet Friends

    • Friends have very strong influences over teens. If your teen is meeting friends at the mall, ask who will be there. Ask if any other parents will be in attendance. Meet the friends who will be there and get to know them. While your child has earned your trust, you need to know that the people around your child are also trustworthy. Additionally, talk to your teen about peer pressure and how to handle it. Give her ideas for saying no to dangerous situations and give her an escape plan if her friends ask her to do something wrong. Have a cell phone on hand so that she can call you to pick her up immediately if necessary.

    Review Safety Concerns

    • Go over safety rules with your teen. Include rules such as communication, buddy systems and trust in instincts. Communication means they tell you who will be there, what stores they will visit, and when they will be ready to leave. They call or text you at specified times. Buddy systems mean they stay with their friends and never, ever find themselves alone. Trusting in instincts means the teen gets away from any situation that doesn't seem right to them. If a teen is old enough to be left alone in a mall, she is old enough to trust her feelings about situations.

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