How often do parents lose their kids in public? And how does this affect parents’ decisions about purposely letting their children out of sight or keeping tabs on them with a GPS tracker?
SafeWise recently surveyed 1,000 parents with kids between the ages of 7 and 17 to get some answers.
Some of the most interesting takeaways:
- 1 in 3 parents have lost a child in a store or at a crowded event.
- Nearly 1 in 5 have lost a child for more than an hour.
- Nearly 1 in 5 have called police about a lost or missing child.
- The stats above increase for parents of special needs children.
- 13 is the average age parents start allowing their children to stay home alone.
- Over two-thirds of parents say their children wouldn’t mind them tracking their location.
You can find these stats and many more in the full report!
You can also learn more in this interview.
Why was this survey created?
At SafeWise we like to dig in and see how much the things we fear and worry about line up with reality. As parents, many of us on the team have worried about losing our kids. or having someone snatch them. Statistically, we know that kidnappings are fairly rare, but losing your child is a lot more common. I remember losing my daughter at an outdoor festival for just a few minutes, but it was terrifying. So we decided to find out how common losing track of your child actually is, and how parents decide when it's time to let a kid stay home on their own.
Why can it be helpful for parents and caregivers to realize how common it is to lose track of a kid, however brief it may be?
I think there are a few benefits to knowing how common it is to lose track of a child. First, it's important to know that this isn't an unrealistic concern or worry—it does happen. That means we need to be diligent when we're out and about with our little ones. It's also a wake-up call to talk with your child about getting lost and to make a plan in case it happens. Second, while kids do get lost, it's reassuring to know that it's usually not for long—and it's very likely that you're going to recover your child quickly. Third, the dramatic way the incidence of losing a child increases for parents of children with special needs is crucial. While all parents need to be alert, parents with children with special needs can benefit even more from the tools and resources that are available out there to help, like the AngelSense tracker that was specifically designed for these families.
How can families make sure their kids are prepared to stay home alone?
It all starts with communication. Before you let your kids stay home alone, ask them how comfortable they feel about staying home alone. Find out if they have any worries or concerns, and then address them together. Once they're ready to give it a whirl, make sure you've gone over things like what to do if someone knocks on the door, what to tell someone who calls and asks for the parents, where to find emergency contact numbers (like poison control), and how to keep younger kids safe from hazards if you're leaving them under the care of older children.
I also recommend starting out small. Do a test run for a brief 5-10 minutes and then start extending your time away for short errands that may take between15 and 30 minutes. If you have a friendly neighbor that you trust, see if they're willing to be available for your child as you start exploring this new arena of independence. Knowing that they have help next door can make kids feel more comfortable about being home alone.
A couple of other things to think about include how to arm and disarm a security system (if you have one), how to use things like smart locks and video doorbells, and guidance for accessing the internet, TV, and gaming services unsupervised.
What are some ways that families can increase safety and preparedness for their kids if they ever do find themselves separated?
Ideally, you'll have a way to either contact your child or see where they are. Things like phones and GPS trackers or smartwatches with two-way communication can give instant reassurance to you and your kids, and you can quickly make a plan to reunite. But not all families are into that kind of technology, and these tools aren't always suitable for younger kids. Whether or not you have a GPS tracker or phone. all families should make a plan for what to do if they get separated. On top of knowing things like your full name, address, and phone number, the plan should include a safe meeting place and guidance about how to go to other adults for help. Teach them to look for "safety signals" like a mom with her kids or name tags and badges that indicate that a person works at the place or is a safety officer.
You should review the plan before you go out—whether it's shopping, going to the park, or attending a big event somewhere—and go over it again when you get to the destination. This way you can physically show them where the meeting place is and point out where to go to ask for help. It's also smart to agree on a secret password that anyone who's sent to pick them up will say. If someone says they're there to help take them to you and the person doesn't say the password, your child will know to run to another adult for help.
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