4 year old playing out unsupervised?

[Fivesidedstar]

My friend allows her 4 year old to play out without an adult present and doesn’t think this is an issue. They live on a road where all the kids play out together , said child doesn’t have older siblings but plays out with the neighbours kids who are 7 and 8 years old.

She told me the other day that she ‘lost’ him for 20 minutes. They all go in and out of each other’s houses too on this estate, so they don’t always know where there child is at any given time, but supposedly they all look out for each other’s kids.

Am I right to feel uncomfortable and worried about this?

Yeah, too young

What did you say?
She might have been asking for reassurance.

Wouldn't even let them play out at 7 and 8.
Far too young.
What if the older ones wonder off and little one follows?
It's very dangerous.
Bad parenting.

Far too young to be left outside unsupervised.

I would be reporting that to social services and police tbh. 4 yo out alone is serious neglect

Times change. This was me when I was that age. Lots of kids to play with, in and out of each others houses.

But there were very few cars on the road, everyone knew everybody else. But it's not so acceptable now. So on balance I guess I wouldn't, but it's kind of a shame.