Going on holiday without their parents is a rite of passage for many teenagers - and a week or two of anxiety for many parents.

Mums and dads are often concerned their child isn’t old enough to cope with potential holiday dangers ranging from too much alcohol, drugs, and balcony falls, to too much sun.

But how old is old enough to go on holiday safely without your parents? It’s a question frequently discussed on Mumsnet, and the UK parenting site’s founder and CEO Justine Roberts says: “For Mumsnet users, whether or not a teen is ready to go on holiday without their parents has less to do with age and more to do with how responsible they are.

“Parents generally look for signs like being able to make themselves a decent meal, manage their own time, handle money, and make sensible decisions - especially around things like alcohol.

“Most parents seem to agree 17 or 18 is about the right age for a first trip with friends. Some think 16 is OK in certain situations - especially if the teen is very mature and with a sensible older group - but the general consensus is that 17 is the preferred minimum.”

Roberts points out that turning 18 means travel comes with fewer legal and practical complications, which can make things easier.

Matt Buttery, CEO of the Triple P UK & Ireland parenting programme, says every family is different, and stresses: “There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for when parents should allow their teenagers to go on holiday without them. Parents should consider not only their teenager’s age, but their maturity and ability to handle responsibility in everyday life.”

Tanith Carey, author of What’s My Teenager Thinking? (Dorling Kindersley), suggests parents anxious about their teen going away without them for the first time should think about the........

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