Adults 'scared to let children out'

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Research for The Children's Society found 43% of adults think children should not be allowed out with their friends until they are 14 or over, even though most of them were allowed to play unsupervised from the age of 10 or younger when they were children.

The survey, which forms part of the charity's Good Childhood Inquiry, also found that more than a fifth (22%) of over-60s thought children should be over 16 before going out on their own.

Despite the anxieties expressed in the survey, the research revealed that childhood friendships were very important, with 69% of adults still in touch with at least one childhood friend.

Experts who submitted evidence to the Good Childhood Inquiry warned of the importance of letting children have freedom to play and make friends.

And children told the inquiry having lots of friends and being able to spend time with them were central to having a good childhood.

Youngsters also said they were more likely to go a friend (46%) than a parent (35%) if they had a problem, such as being bullied.

The research on friendship, one of a series of topics being examined in the Good Childhood Inquiry, found friends were fundamental to childhood development.

Being isolated from or bullied by other youngsters can lead to serious problems such as depression, aggression, anti-social and delinquent behaviour, it warned.

The research also raised concerns friendships are changing, with evidence that since 1986 the number of teenagers with no best friends has increased from around one in eight to almost a fifth.