The kind of supervision children need depends on their age, maturity, abilities, and surroundings. Adequate supervision is essential to keeping kids safe. An adult caregiver is accountable for the child's care, and inadequate supervision can be a type of neglect (neglectful supervision). Here are some of things you should think about when deciding how closely to supervise a child:

• How old, emotionally mature, and capable is your child?

• What is the layout and safety of the home, play area, or other setting?

• What are the hazards and risks in the neighborhood?

• What is your child's ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies?

• Does your child have a mental, physical, or medical disability?

• How many children are being left unsupervised?

• Do they know where you are?

• Can they contact you or other responsible adults?

• How long and how often is the child (or children) left alone?

Many states do not have laws that create a minimum age at which children may be left home without the supervision of a teenager or adult. The states that do have a minimum legal age to be home alone usually place it in the 10-14 years range—and many states provide that children age 0-6 may never be left home alone. Child Protective Services may investigate an incident or situation and determine that there was neglectful supervision of a child or children, and in some cases seek to remove the child or children from the custody of the parent or parents.

In South Dakota, there is no specific statute that establishes a minimum age for when a child can be left alone at home. However, the state recognizes that adequate supervision is crucial for the safety and well-being of children. The Department of Social Services may intervene in situations where a child's safety is at risk due to inadequate supervision, which can be considered a form of neglect. When determining the appropriate level of supervision, factors such as the child's age, maturity, abilities, home and neighborhood safety, and ability to respond to emergencies should be considered. Additionally, the presence of any disabilities, the number of children unsupervised, and the duration and frequency of being left alone are important considerations. If Child Protective Services (CPS) investigates and finds that a child was neglected due to insufficient supervision, they have the authority to take action, which could include removing the child from the parent's custody.