Age Guidelines for Leaving Children at Home Alone
Children under 12 should not be left alone for long periods. Children under 12 years rarely cope alone in emergencies, and should not be left unsupervised for extended periods of time.
Legal Age and Guidelines for 16-17 Year Olds
16 to 17 year olds can stay home alone overnight for up to two nights. In some areas, 16 is the legal age where a 16-year-old can move out.
Specific Age-Related Rules and Considerations
- 11 to 12-year-olds should not be left more than 3 hours and not at night.
- 13 to 15 can be left unsupervised but not overnight.
- 16 years old may stay alone for up to two nights before needing supervision.
- Some 17-year-olds are too impulsive for overnight stays.
- Boys and girls socializing at 11 is healthy but not individual dating.
Laws and Guidelines Regarding Child Supervision
Under Pennsylvania law, there is no specific age set for leaving a child alone. Guidelines generally suggest that arrangements should not endanger children. In California, under 18 runaways are not considered crimes, and laws expect parents to assess if a child is mature enough to be left alone.