At what age can a high school student in Arizona spend the night alone if the parent keeps in touch by phone and there are family members and neighbors and others nearby who can check in on the child?

Answer 1

== There is no legal requirement. They must be safe, feel safe and not scared, and know how to take care of any problems that may arise. Most authorities agree that a 13 year old can be left alone for a few hours during the day.

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.

Answer 2

In Canada it's 12, and no matter what any State says, 12 should be the age. High School students are no longer children and should be judged on their maturity for staying alone because some kids can "party it up" and I have heard of so many parents coming home to destroyed homes because a party got out of hand.

Answer 3

I have not found this issue regulated by Arizona law.

Arizona law states that parents are ultimately responsible but they can choose to do this or that regardless of age of child.

As I interpret what I have read, it is up to the parents to decide whether their child is mature enough or not for the "task" given.

Maturity of children vary a lot. Some children would possibly be coping pretty well already from age 10, where as other children still does not cope well even at age 18.

I would say that age 12 is "ok" from a sensible point of view. This if the child is mature enough and know how to take care of itself. A 12 year old should not be looking after other children through the night though.

The child should never be "forced" to stay alone over night. It should have the choice itself of either a nanny or being alone, but only being alone if acting mature.

Girls tend to be more mature than boys, hence it might be ok for a girl at age 12 but not for a boy.

Give the child an ability to contact you at any time. You should have a backup solution ready if you are far away. This can be a neighbour that checks in on the child just to see that everything is alright.

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