What to Consider Before Leaving a Child Alone
Jakarta (ANTARA) – Child supervision has come under scrutiny following an accident that killed a child in East Kalimantan and the circulation of a video showing a child crying after being left by their parents in a tent in the Mount Prau area of Central Java.
Clinical child and adolescent psychologist Vera Itabiliana Hadiwidjojo told ANTARA on Monday that parents should consider a child’s age, maturity and ability to deal with emergencies, as well as the safety of the surroundings, before leaving them alone without supervision.
The psychologist from the University of Indonesia’s Psychology Institute said babies, toddlers and pre-school children are not ready to be left alone without adult supervision. Even when they are asleep, they should not be left unattended.
“A child who can speak or play alone is not necessarily able to recognise danger and seek help,” Vera said.
Vera said parents could consider leaving a child home alone once they are at least 12 or entering adolescence.
Even so, she said, parents should ensure that the child feels safe and comfortable at home alone, can follow the rules in place, and knows how to contact their parents and what to do in an emergency.
“Also consider the duration, any special needs and the safety of the surroundings. Start gradually, and for short periods,” she said.
The director of the Daya Insani Psychology Institute said children who can understand situations, keep themselves safe and solve simple problems may begin to be given opportunities to learn independence if their surroundings are considered safe.
“If a child is not yet mature, is still confused in their thinking and could be at risk if left alone, then they should not be left alone unless an adult is supervising them,” Sani told ANTARA.
Even if a child is considered capable of understanding situations and keeping themselves safe, parents are advised not to leave them alone if the surroundings are considered risky.
Vera warned that being ready to stay alone at home in a familiar neighbourhood does not automatically mean a child is ready to do so elsewhere.
“Being ready to stay alone at home in familiar surroundings does not automatically apply to a hotel, a mountainous area or another unfamiliar setting,” she said.
Parents are advised to tailor supervision and support to their child’s ability to understand situations and keep themselves safe, as well as to the level of risk in the surrounding environment.