Is it ok for two 11 year olds to go to cinema alone?

[trapanisky]

Just that really. We live in a small, safe town. I’m wondering if the two of them would be ok watching a kids movie alone for an hour and a bit if I go home. The cinema is a tiny one not in a shopping centre. They are both sensible children. Is it reasonable?

Yes my dd was doing this form start of y6.

For reference when I was 12 I would take the bus to the next town alone and meet friends at the Odeon then get myself home again on the bus (or sometimes picked up by my dad).

The kids will be fine!

Yes. I used to do this all the time and I’d have to take a half hr bus journey to get there

Actually there have always been murderers, child molesters and sex pests around. Two 11 year olds should be able to ask for help from cinema staff if need be.

I did this from 12 too.

The first time I sat in the foyer and read a book. The staff were fine with it

I would worry that if someone wanted to do them harm there would be opportunity to do so with little natural surveillance in a context where the children feel they should be quiet and can’t very easily get away.

Oh fgs. This scenario would arise but it's extremely unlikely. Children have to be given a level of independence. A trip to the local cinema with a friend is a normal thing for early secondary school children to be doing.

You can't ever remove the risk entirely but tell them to stay together, leave it something makes them.uncomfortable, book seats in the middle.

100% I would at the end of year 7. Assume nearly 12 if in year 7.

Mine have been to Odeon younger than 12 (to see PG films )

Cinemas have CCTV and a multitude of staff.
I think there are far more issues with over protecting kids than stranger danger here.

clearly if your children are unable or not confident enough to speak to adults (stafff) then that’s different, but the average Y6 absolutely is capable of asking for help if needed

Totally fine. Mine walk there and back too and have McDonalds or similar too.

Crikey. How old are your kids?

at 13 mine are getting the train to a nearby city, going swimming, cinema, shopping all sorts.

they even manage going to the loo.

Actually I disagree. Social media and internet access have resulted in a much more sinister world for younger people, often carried out by younger people.

I’ve found this thread surprising. I’m very aware that life was different growing up in the 70s/80s/90s, but I’m quite shocked how much things have changed in the last 15 years since my own DC was this age when there wouldn’t have been a hesitation. I would probably have dropped off and collected but no question that it wasn’t a done thing for first year secondary school kids to watch a film with no adult accompanying.

I'm surprised two 11 year olds can't take themselves on the bus. But I live in a city with fairly decent public transport, which isn't true everywhere.

I practically threw a party once DS was old enough to go to Games Workshop on a Sunday without requiring a parent. That was age 11.

No unlikely at all in my experience.

Would depend on the film and time of day, but after that, think it is ok.

Saturday morning cinema used to be a thing. Cinemas full of kids and no-one was dropping them off or picking them up.

Absolutely fine. Ds, a young yr 6, started doing this about 6 months ago. I actually phoned the cinema to ask if they had a minimum age. They said 7 or 8!!

Exactly. No wonder so many young people are riddled with anxiety when facing the worldvwhen they've been so over protected and not given the chance to develop self reliance and independence gradually.

Yes of course.

It’s true that the online world is a new risk, especially to children’s mental health. But the statistics are clear and consistent that in the real, outdoor world UK children have never been safer.

There is also emerging evidence that parents’ overprotectiveness is contributing to the epidemic of poor mental health in young people, by depriving them of healthy independence.

The most dangerous place for your child to be is probably on their phone in their own bedroom.

Of course it’s fine.