I hate that we live in such a surveillance culture. I understand parents wanting to protect their kids as much as they can, but forbidding kids from playing outside independently has a hugely negative impact on children. If they feel safe playing in their neighborhood without needing to ask their parents every five seconds if they’re allowed to do something, the choices they make independently will help them build confidence and make decisions in school and in life. A friend of mine had the cops called on her because she was riding her bike by herself as a 10-year-old. Many citizens would rather be «better safe than sorry,» but a 10-year-old riding a bike is about as regular as it gets.

While I think kids eight and up can, for the most part, be trusted to play outside by themselves, toddlers and little kids should have someone responsible looking after them.