Letting 14 y/o dd go to central London with a friend.....

[wanttokickoffbutcant]

DD recently turned 14. Has been into central London many times with me but never with a friend. I am torn as to whether I should allow her. On the one hand, I was travelling from Cornwall to London on my own at a younger age but I am just think it is a very different place now (I am old). She thinks I am horrible and being ridiculous not to trust her but she is also not very street smart.......

This is really ott I have to say. I mean crossing the road is not without risk. All manner of things could happen when we step out of our front door. A woman near me died after falling down the stairs in her own house. At some point, you need to live your life

@Comedycook I obviously wouldn't prevent my 17 year old going but I would worry. She was in Manchester the other night for a concert and I wanted her to message me when she got back to the hotel.

That is your opinion that my views are OTT and that's ok. We all have different views and I'm happy living with my concerns about certain issues. It's kept me and my children safe thus far.

Don’t be ridiculous

I don’t know. When I was 12 (end of 60s), me and a mate used to get a Red Rover bus pass every Saturday, and go all around London. All good, all safe.

Even now, I cheerfully go into London. Not ever had a single problem. 🙂

Similar age, similar area growing up. I don’t agree at all. My 3 have all be allowed into town from about 13 and it’s perfectly safe if they’re sticking to the usual oxford street carnaby street Covent Garden soho route.

It's kept me and my children safe thus far.

That's just a bizarre thing to say though. I mean, my decision to go into London and let my kids do the same has also resulted in us all being safe.

And that’s even more daft. What do you think will happen? Most people travel in for work on their own every day

Nyc2018 - do you know how many people live in/work/visit - london and don't get stabbed? It's like saying the country side is scary cos you might get killed by a cow

This is all very odd...I can understand being wary about being out late at night or quite young teens going on their own...but surely people aren't quaking in fear at the thought of going into central London during the day?

I'm really glad that all has been ok taking your children into London and that's completely your choice whether you feel comfortable to do so.

I personally wouldn't feel safe or comfortable so I therefore wouldn't allow a 14 year old to go alone. Especially one who isn't street smart as the OP has stated.

Absolutely but those who work or live in London know what areas to avoid, what to look out for in terms of risks etc and are fairly used to the environment. They will likely be more aware of the risks than someone who is not used to big cities.

No not often. They’re almost always amongst gangs in very specific areas your children are unlikely to go to. There’s always a tiny chance of a stabbing but to be honest no more than anywhere else. The chances of a random person coming up to you to stab you is so minute that it’s not even worth thinking about.

NYC2018, tourists in london are also not getting stabbed, even though they are also new to the city.

Each to their own. OP asked for opinions and mine is that I wouldn't let a 14 year old go without an adult and have explained my reasons why.

We all hold different views on the matter and it doesn't make one right and the other wrong, just different.

To be honest the areas you need to avoid are unlikely to be areas that you or your kids would likely set foot in ever in your life. Unless you are hanging around some of the rough estates. The chances of being stabbed in the Apple Store in Covent Garden or the bubble tea shop on carnaby street are beyond remote.

Nyc2018, based purely on statistics, one view is right and one view is wrong. Irrational fears are a different thing.

I don't consider them irrational. I consider them being cautious. I've already stated I wouldn't let my 14 year old go into any big city with just a friend. Not just London.

💪🥷🤺 watch out! It's dangerous out there!👀

I visit London regularly but have never lived within 100 miles of the place.It's seeing young people,on their own and in groups, spending time in central London in perfect safety that reassures me how safe the city is!

To the past PP who said that they wouldn't want their 17 year old to go into London, what will you do if they choose to go to university there when they are 18? I grew up in a small town in North Yorkshire, and can remember going to London by myself when I was 17, when my DC were young they started going into London when they were 14.

That was me who said that.

I wouldn't like it but at her age, I wouldn't prevent it as she is almost 18 and able to make her own choices. I would worry though, as most parents do.

NYC2018, have you been to NYC? Just out of interest.

I grew up in a small town north of Manchester and wouldn't walk the town centre on my own after the shops close. I've lived in London for 20 years now and other than someone nicking my all-time favourite coat from the cloakroom of a manky pub on the Embankment, I've never directly experienced any crime. I happily walk around zone 1 / back to the tube / the bus / my car quite late at night taking sensible precautions but not in any sort of fear.

@HerculesMulligan I have yes, in 2018. I felt very safe there as opposed to how I feel when in London. I only stayed in the Manhattan area though, I wouldn't have ventured out to remote areas in Queens for example.

Blimey she will be fine.

Really? I found NYC rough as arseholes when we went. It was edgy and grim, whereas London just feels like any other city.