Is there a minimum age to leave children alone?

Hi Folks,

Is there a minimum age in Spain for leaving kids at home alone?

Our youngest is about to turn into a ''Kevin'', 13 on tuesday. Uuck!  We do consider him mature enough to be left while we get the shopping etc. But is there a recomended age here? Or is it the same as in UK, around 12/13 depending on how mature the child is. 

Thanks, Febe

http://live.kyero.com/2011/02/03/spain-to-abolish-minimum-marriage-age-of-14/

Dont know about spain but the UK direct Gov website states:

There is no legal age limit for leaving a child on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. Parents can be prosecuted if they leave a child unsupervised ‘in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health’ (Children and Young Person’s Act).

Interesting link John.  I didn't realise you could marry in Spain at the age of 14 .  That just seems insane.

Justin

Justin

                        I remember. a few ears ago,  a 13 year old British girl, who was pregnant, getting married in Benalmadena.

(Wikipedia still shows the age in Spain as 13 : 

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"181(1) El que, interviniendo engaño, cometiere abuso sexual con persona mayor de trece años y menor de dieciséis, será castigado con la pena de prisión de uno a dos años, o multa de doce a veinticuatro meses.

(Approximate translation: An individual who, by use of deceit, commits sexual abuse with a person over thirteen years and under sixteen years, will be punished with imprisonment for one or two years, or a fine equivalent to twelve to twenty-four months...)

(2) A los efectos del apartado anterior, se consideran abusos sexuales no consentidos los que se ejecuten sobre menores de trece años, sobre personas que se hallen privadas de sentido o de cuyo trastorno mental se abusare."

(Approximate translation: For the purposes of the preceding paragraph, the following are considered non-consensual sexual abuse, sexual abuse of children below thirteen years, people who are bereft of capacity or having a mental disorder which is abused)"

 I suggest not to leave your kids alone, PLEASE...You may leave your kids but WITH an adult or baby sitter watching over them while you're away for a couple of minutes or hours just to be sure they're safe. Speaking of child's safety, I am on a safety service with my whole family. I protect them with this personal safety device called safekidzone. In a press of the panic button, you know where they at and what's happening. It can also send some help directly to 911 when there's a real time emergency.  We can't be always with our kids but with safekidzone, you know when they're in trouble and you will be able to help them.