British TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp faces scrutiny after allowing her 15-year-old son to travel across Europe with no parental supervision, prompting a social services inquiry and igniting a public discussion on parenting and child safety.
Allsopp published a post saying her son returned from a three-week trip in Europe with no adult supervision on social media on X.
She was then contacted by a social worker, and was told a file was opened due to a complaint alleging neglect. Allsop said she found the actions taken by social services "absolutely outrageous."
Allsopp's son visited Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Marseille, Toulouse, Barcelona, and Madrid, accompanied by a 16-year-old friend, according to BBC.
Allsopp's friends and social media users shared their experiences of traveling unaccompanied as children, showing support for her decision. Allsopp said she believed her son's confidence stems from independence and trust.
The presenter defended her decision, stating that travel is safer now and that she broke no laws.
Allsopp said her son planned and saved for the trip
Allsopp received mixed reactions to her decision, with some MPs criticizing the council for their intervention in her decision as a parent. Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke criticized the council for intimidating parents over teenage travel, and MP Dame Karen Bradley called the council's actions a waste of time and resources.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea stated that safeguarding children is an absolute priority.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: BBC, The Guardian, Independent, OK, NZ Herald, NationalWorld, Connaught Telegraph, Anglo Celt, Meath Chronicle, Westmeath Independent, BreakingNews.ie, Sportskeeda, Daily Mail, Internewscast, Daily Post, Clydebank Post.