Do you advise DC to walk around without headphones

[cityrookie]

Had a meeting with DD(12)'s teacher today who suggested DD listen to audiobooks on her way to clubs (bus and walking).

I've always told DD to have her phone away in her bag and not to wear headphones out and about because she needs to be aware of what's going on around her.

The teacher also has a 12 year old daughter so we just laughed at each other!

What do you tell your DC?

YANBU - no, put the headphones away when she's alone in town and on the bus
YABU - it's fine to listen to things walking around town

I had old school wired headphones ripped out of my ears (Walkman years ago) by some delightful twats from the neighbouring school. My kids are tolld daily not to wear them and keep their phones away.

What is a 12 year old supposed to be aware of while on a bus or walking on the pavement? Life.

I wish people would tell their kids not to. We were always told as teens not to have them in when walking alone. It’s common sense!

Yesterday a girl about 18 stepped off the pavement into the road right infront of my car. I had to do an emergency stop. She didn’t look and had ear phones in. Only beeping my horn made her look and stop! She was stupid not to look but atleast she would have heard my car if she hadn’t been listening to something. So idiotic.

I use these and they are fantastic. They are bone conducted rest just outside your ear so you can hear everything including your music/podcast etc.

I'd honestly tell your DC just to ealk around taking in their surroundings, it's not a good thing to constable be plugged in and not just let your brain rest. That's why people are so distracted now, they literally don't take any time just to 'be'. I'm sure many people don't even know how to anymore

I walk around with headphones in all the time, so I'm not in a position to.