Getting to school is an important part of a child’s day. School is vital for the growth and development of children, and this means that they need to get to school to benefit. There are a lot of children out there who walk to school, take the bus, or get a ride from their parents.
While there may seem to be a million different ways for children to get to school, some of them may seem “cooler” than others. This means that children may want to travel a certain way because it has been seen as trendy, but it may not be the safest way.
E-scooters have been rising in popularity, and mostly because they are better for the environment. People are being encouraged to travel in different ways that don’t place such a burden on the environment, but these ways may not be safe for children. An e-scooter may look like a lot of fun, and mom may want to let her child ride one to school if that means they are excited to go to school, but there are some things she should know first.
They Are Just Dangerous
The AAP has issued its own warning against children using an e-scooter. According to Healthy Children, just one fall off an e-scooter is likely to result in an injury, and it is most likely going to be a head injury. Even if a child is wearing a helmet, they are still vulnerable, and if they are on their way to school alone and fall, there may not be anyone around to help them. An e-scooter is still considered a “motorized vehicle,” and this means that no one should be operating them unless they have a valid driver’s license, and this means a child would have to be at least 16 years old.
Children Will Be Children
According to Voltage Rider, some argue that the decision should be left up to each individual parent because they know what their child can handle the best. They also state that since everything in life is an “assumed risk,” there is risk in everything, and parents shouldn’t deprive their children of having fun. The bottom line is, children are still developing, and their impulse control is not mature yet. This means they are prone to taking risks, especially if they have a friend that they want to “show off” for. This means they are prone to doing tricks or going where they shouldn’t be. A busy road near a school can see a lot of traffic, and if your child is not paying attention, there is the risk they may get hit by a car.
What If Mom Rides With The Child?
Some moms may wonder if it would be a safer option if they rode with their children. E-scooters may appear to be able to accommodate two riders, and they have attachments you can buy for another rider, but this should be avoided. According to Auto Evolution, when you add another person’s weight, even a child’s, to an e-scooter it can throw off the balance of the whole machine. Considering how fast these can go, it is more likely to cause an accident, and that could be a tragedy.
Sources: Healthy Children, Voltage Rider, Auto Evolution