Why “stranger danger” doesn’t work

Why doesn’t “stranger danger” work? Because most of the people we interact with are technically strangers.

💰 The cashier at the supermarket? A stranger
🏥 Receptionist at the doctor’s office? A stranger
💊 The pharmacy technician at the store? A stranger

Teaching kids “stranger danger” is not considered effective for several reasons:

‼️ Fear and Anxiety: The “stranger danger” message can instill unnecessary fear and anxiety in children, making them overly suspicious of anyone they do not know, which can hinder their social development & ability to seek help from safe strangers if needed.

⛔️ Lack of Practical Skills: This approach does not provide children with practical skills for dealing with uncomfortable or dangerous situations, whether the person involved is a stranger or someone they know.

🛑Inconsistent Application: Children may struggle to differentiate between a “good” and “bad” stranger, as they often see people like police officers, teachers, or community helpers as strangers too. This can create confusion about who to trust in an emergency.

🚨 Oversimplification: The concept is overly simplistic and does not account for the nuanced nature of many real-life situations. Children need more comprehensive education on personal safety that includes recognizing & responding to unsafe situations, understanding consent, and knowing how to seek help.

👀 Parental Modeling: Parents often interact with strangers in daily life (e.g., talking to store clerks, asking for directions), which can send mixed signals to children about when it is appropriate to engage with strangers.

Instead of “stranger danger,” experts recommend teaching children broader personal safety skills, such as recognizing and trusting their instincts, understanding boundaries, and knowing how to seek help in various situations.