MNN - Mother Nature Network

Although it makes me sound ancient to admit it, I can remember many more pickup games of tag or impromptu bike rides with neighborhood kids than my kids enjoy. It's just so much more uncommon now for parents to send their kids outside for unstructured play these days.  Why?  According to the National Wildlife Federation, one of the main reasons that kids don't play outside enough is because their parents are concerned that it will be unsafe.  

 

"Stranger Danger," is the top safety concern that springs to mind whenever parents think about letting their children play outside in the neighborhood, or even in their own backyards, without an adult in direct supervision.  It's terrifying to think about questions like the likelihood of a child being kidnapped or harmed in any way when they are out of our sight.  And it's important to talk to kids about stranger danger, and personal safety, but at what age should you start?  And when is it safe for kids to play outside by themselves?

 

The National Wildlife Federation is hosting a Twitter chat today at 2pm EST to answer these question and address other concerns parents might have about kids and outdoor safety.  Nancy A. McBride, National Safety Director for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, will lead the chat.  

 

Want to hear want Nancy and the NWF team have to say about stranger danger?  Join the chat today using hashtag #dontworrybot.