The news that TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp has been reported to social services after allowing her 15-year-old son to travel abroad has taken the British media cycle by storm. Thousands of people have weighed in on social media sites, discussing whether or not they would allow their underaged children to travel unaccompanied by an adult. So we put the question to our travel editors – how young is too young to travel unchaperoned? Should children be allowed to explore without an adult present, or is it best to wait until they turn 16? Keep reading to find out which editors are pro and which are against.
In favour of teenagers travelling solo
Sarah James, deputy digital editor
“I don’t necessarily believe that you can put an age on when people are responsible enough to travel without a parent. There are some very switched-on teenagers out there, and other people in their late teens and early 20s who will find themselves in scrapes when they travel without a guardian. I think that travel teaches you many important lessons, from time management to how to solve problems that might arise, and it’s never too early to start taking responsibility for yourself. As a teenager, I wasn’t allowed to travel internationally without my parents, which was almost certainly for the best. Still, I did get some experience – I travelled with friends to a gig in London, staying overnight in a hostel, and it was a wonderful weekend. As a teenager, I also went camping with friends in Wales, which taught me loads about being responsible for trains, grocery shopping, and cooking. I also look back on the school trips I took as a teenager – while teachers were around to get us through the airport and on hand if anything went wrong, we were largely left to our own devices in foreign cities. I think it’s good for parents and guardians to be clear-headed about what teenagers are likely to get up to when left to their own devices and make sure they know what to do in an emergency. Still, I wouldn’t put a blanket ban on my own kids travelling before they’re 18.”
Abigail Malbon, global audience growth manager
“I didn’t start travelling properly, outside of family holidays, until I was around 24. Looking back, I wish I’d had the opportunity to travel more at a young age. I really believe that travel helps you become a more open and understanding person, plus it encourages independence and forward-thinking. Having said that, I don’t think it’s realistic for the average British family to be able to afford to fly their teenage children around the world without them, and it feels to me that there’s a class separation between those who can and can’t. It’s not something that I would have been able to do as a teenager, but I wouldn’t necessarily begrudge others the opportunity to have such a unique experience.”
Against teenagers travelling solo
Sarah Bannerman, acting commerce editor
“I feel there’s an unspoken expectation that anyone given enough freedom to travel independently – to book their own accommodation, to finance a trip and to navigate new territory alone – would likely be above a certain age. While every person, case and level of life experience is different, I wouldn’t be comfortable knowing that anyone my child met would (fairly) assume he/she was over 16 before they actually were.”
Lauren Burvill, commerce editor
“You might have the most independent and mature kid, but ultimately, you have no control over the environment they’re entering, so the risk seems too huge to me. Even the most seasoned tourists can get caught out by pickpockets and scams, so young solo travellers are no doubt an easy target. When I first visited Europe from Australia, I was targeted by pickpockets on the train from the airport to my hotel – a group crowded around me to the point where I couldn’t move and managed to grab my wallet and ran off with it – within an hour they had spent €2,000. It was not an ideal way to start a trip and one that, even in my twenties, involved me having to call my mum (in tears) for advice. You also get such limited years to travel with your kids, too – I’d much rather travel with my teenager while still allowing them some level of independence. To me, that’s the best of both worlds.”
Olivia Morelli, senior digital writer
“As much as I can imagine my 15-year-old self begging and pleading to be allowed to go travelling with a group of friends, with hindsight, I can see how disastrous that could have been. It undoubtedly depends on the child in question, but at that age, the allure of late nights, drinking and meeting new people was a novelty I was thrilled by and had the potential to end in some sticky situations. I believe certain 15-year-olds could and should be trusted, and that decision lies with the adults caring for the child. However, travelling is a privilege that I think comes with a degree of worldliness that most children have yet to master. I still get overwhelmed and nervous when travelling solo, so I can’t imagine having to make sensible decisions as a teenager. Having said that, reading some of the opinions gathered by the Guardian involves harking back to a different time, and I do think that making a decision today involves taking into consideration a whole host of other modern issues and concerns.”