At 10
This is the age of criminal responsibility which means that between the ages of 10 and 14, a child can be convicted of a criminal offence if it can be proved they knew what they were doing was seriously wrong.At 13
This is the age where a child can have a part-time job, with some restrictions.
At 14
Your child:• Is considered to be fully responsible for their actions, so if they commit a criminal offence, they will be treated the same as an adult (except for sentencing).
• Can go into a pub, but can't buy alcohol.
• Can give evidence in a court case.
• Must wear a seatbelt and can be fined if caught without one. It's not just the driver's responsibility!
At 16
Your child can:• Have a full time job if they have officially left school.
• Live independently, subject to certain conditions being met.
• Get married with parents' or guardians' consent.
• Ride a moped of up to 50ccs.
• Pilot a glider.
• Have sex, whether that's with someone of the same sex or opposite sex.
• Have an abortion without their parent’s consent.
• Apply for their own passport.
• Have a beer or cider while eating a meal in a restaurant or an eating area of a pub, but not in the bar.
• Buy a lottery ticket, including scratch cards.
A boy can join the armed forces but only with his parents' or carers' consent.
At 17
Your child can:• Hold a licence to drive most vehicles.
• Pilot a plane.
• Donate blood.
• Leave home without their parents' consent.
At 18
Your child can:• Legally be seen as an adult in the eyes of the law.
• Vote in general and local elections.
• Get married.
• Buy cigarettes and tobacco.
• Open a bank account in their name without a parent or carer's signature.
• Buy and drink alcohol in a bar.
• Change their name.
• Be sued or sue.
• Make a will.
• Place a bet.
• Have a tattoo.
• Buy fireworks and sparklers.
• Get a mobile phone on a monthly contract in their own name.
• Own houses and land.
