There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with very specific ages. Typically 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work).
12 years old appears to be the most common recommendation. http://www.latchkey-kids.com/latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm provides a state by state comparison.
The age that a child may be left home alone is not defined legally in most states. The few states that have legal age limits vary between age 8, and age 14. The most often age recommended by experts is age 12; though statistically age 10 seems to be the average age most children are left on their own for the first time.
Lynn Yaney, who speaks for the child welfare agency in Contra Costa County, California had this to say on the subject: "A general rule of thumb is that kids under age seven aren't capable of thinking logically and putting cause and effect together. " She also says: Children between ages 7 and 10 years aren't generally ready to self-supervise for an extended period..."
(This is from the Latchkey-Kids.com website, http://www.latchkey-kids-age-limits.htm
12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Latchkey Kids Age Limits which provides a state by state comparison with references.
Obviously not do you care about your children anybody could take then nob
1
12 or 13.
three weeks
you must be 12 to stay home alone
Absolutely NOT!!! No matter how responsible, 16 years old is not an appropriate age to stay home alone for that amount of time.
i think it is 16
12 years old
10 or 11 you can stay for 2 or 3 hour's
you must be 12 to stay home alone
13 years
Absolutely NOT!!! No matter how responsible, 16 years old is not an appropriate age to stay home alone for that amount of time.
14 years old
Over night, 15
i think it is 16
12 years old
10 or 11 you can stay for 2 or 3 hour's
no they can't
yes if s/he is trustworthy
its between 17 or 18
No! A child has to be 10 years ol to stay home alone!