A social media post about curfews for teenagers has ignited a debate among parents, after one mother asked for advice on whether her 7.30pm rule for her 13-year-old daughter was too strict.
Mother Seeks Advice on Reddit
The parent, who turned to Reddit for guidance, explained that her daughter, who had just turned 13, must be home by 7.30pm every day and keep her phone charged and with her at all times. She wrote: 'My daughter is 13 this week and I’m just asking for advice for curfews. At the moment she's home by 7.30 every day and must have her phone with charge on her at all times. However she’s complaining that she’s always the first one that has to come home when out with her friends.'
She added: 'Whats everyone else's curfew for 13 year old girls? Am I being too over cautious making her come in that early? Do you change curfew depending on time of the year? Like at the moment it's still light out until late so wouldn’t be so bad extending it but I wouldn’t want her wondering the streets in the dark. Thanks!'
Mixed Reactions from Parents
The post quickly went viral, sparking a debate among fellow parents. One of the most popular replies encouraged the mum not to compare herself with others, writing: 'Extended to 08:00 by giving her an extra half hour. The bottom line, don't bother yourself what time her friends have to go home - your rules, your child, you're accountable to no one.'
Others argued that a curfew should depend less on a child's age and more on what they are doing and where they are. One parent penned: 'Shouldn’t be any difference in curfew for boy or girl. I’d also say that curfews shouldn’t be fixed, they should be flexible on what the kids are proposing to do, where they are doing it and generally what time others are coming home.'
Another user agreed that location makes all the difference, writing: 'For me would depend on where they are going? Round a mates house four door down? 7.30 is laughable. Hanging out in a park 30 min walk from home in winter? Yeah 8pm latest.'
Some Parents Support the 7.30pm Curfew
However, not everyone thought the curfew should be extended. One user commented: '7.30pm is TOO late in my opinion.' Another agreed, stating: '7:30 is fair. When I was 13 I wasn’t allowed out at all.' Several parents said they adjust rules depending on the season, with one explaining: 'In the summer it was 9pm for my daughter. Winter I liked her home straight from school but would allow her to go to a friend's and I'd collect her.'
The debate has left parents divided, with some believing a 7.30pm curfew is more than fair for a 13-year-old, while others say rules should be more flexible during the lighter summer nights.
