Is 11pm a reasonable curfew for 16yo…

30 replies

HerbertVonDoodlebug · 20/10/2025 19:20

…when hanging out with friends in the park? Usually it’s midnight ish if at a party in someone’s house. But uncomfortable with him being out in the park after 11. He is a sensible lad and not likely to drink more than a couple of ciders but I’m worried about randoms in the park, the group being rowdy etc. He’s only just started going out since starting sixth form in September so this is all new to us!!

ETA: this is weekends/school holidays only- he wouldn’t be out on a school night

OP posts:

mamaduckbone · 21/10/2025 10:51

@pinotnow crossed posts with you but refreshing to hear someone else who doesn't think teenagers will descend into a life of drug addiction and criminality if they hang out with their mates of an evening!

NJLX2021 · 21/10/2025 10:55

fine for me, on weekends and holidays.

I did the whole drinking in parks/beach/woods thing as a teenager. Yes houses were available, but unless you are lucky enough to have a very independent space, it isn't the same level of freedom/independence.

Me and my friends were good students, nerdy, good grades, never got in trouble, no smoking, just a bit of drinking (rarely too much), no drugs, no criminal activity etc.

So I don't think you can always correlate going out at night to hang out/drink with bad behavior. if you know and trust your son, then I'd say its fine, until you have a reason not to trust him..

ChessBess · 21/10/2025 10:56

Blappengrap · 21/10/2025 09:22

I don't consider it strict. If we take her to a concert or the theatre then she will be out later, we approach special events individually and discuss them, but in general I would want her back for 9pm which I think is reasonable at 16. It was the same for me growing up. There's no need to be out later than that and she needs to get to bed and get enough sleep for college. I definitely wouldn't allow drinking in the park till 11pm and I don't think that's strict, just good boundaries.

I could judge you for being lax, couldn't I? I was just answering the OPs question with no judgement. She has to make her own decision, as do you. No need to judge me for what I do and which works for us and we are all happy with.

Show quote history

I would say it’s very unusual to say lights out for 10pm even on a weekend for a 16 year old. Objectively it does seem very strict so that’s why people commented. Of course it’s up to you and if it works for you then fair enough

Rakol · 21/10/2025 11:03

People really have curfews that old? I had a baby at 16

idontwanttomissathing · 21/10/2025 11:32

No weekend/school holiday curfews for mine (outer London, same place that I grew up in).

Both are 20s now and doing very well in their careers, after achieving great grades at GCSE and A level. No trouble ever from either of them. Both have lots of good friends. Both went to Reading festival at 16 after GCSE, which is the norm here. I obv had no clue what time they got back their tents! I knew they’d contact me or their dad if they needed help with anything.

No curfew for me either at 16, but I was working in central London and would have laughed at my parents if they told me to be in at a certain time. I was clubbing in central London at 16 and sometimes went straight to work! Glastonbury at 15. Working the season in Newquay at 16.

I went on my first girls holiday at 16 (friend was 18 so it was allowed) my parents obv had no clue what I was doing day or night as no mobile phones or internet then. Also went to Aus for 6 mths at just turned 18.

My son did make me laugh once….. woke me up at 7am one Saturday morning at about 15 to tell me he and his friend, who had stayed over, had already been to McDonald’s!

So do they have a morning curfew too?

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