Crawford, S.B.Bennetts, S.K.Hackworth, NaomiGreen, JenniferGraesser, HCooklin, AmandaMatthews, JanStrazdins, LyndallZubrick, Stephen R.D'Esposito, F.Nicholson, Jan M2021-10-141353-8292http://hdl.handle.net/1885/250833This qualitative study involved focus groups with 132 children and 12 parents in primary and secondary schools in metropolitan and regional areas of Victoria, Australia, to explore experiences and perceptions of children's independent mobility. The study highlights the impact of family routines, neighborhood characteristics, social norms and reference points for decision making. Children reported a wider range of safety concerns than parents, including harm from strangers or traffic, bullying, or getting lost. Children expressed great delight in being independent, often seeking to actively influence parents' decision making. Children's independent mobility is a developmental process, requiring graduated steps and skill building.The ‘Parental Fear as a Barrier to Children's Independent Mobility and Resultant Physical Activity’ research was initiated and funded by VicHealth (The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation) and conducted by Professor Jan Nicholson, Dr Amanda Cooklin, Dr Sharinne Crawford, Ms Shannon Bennetts, Dr Naomi Hackworth (Judith Lumley Centre, La Trobe University); Associate Professor Julie Green, Dr Fabrizio D’Esposito, Associate Professor Jan Matthews, Ms Helen Graesser (Parenting Research Centre); Professor Stephen Zubrick (University of Western Australia); Associate Professor Lyndall Strazdins (Australian National University); and Professor Guy Parcel (University of Texas). At the time of study design and data collection JN, AC, SC, SB and NH were employees of the Parenting Research Centre. Authors AC, JN, SC, SB and NH were additionally supported by Australian Communities Foundation through the Transition to Contemporary Parenthood Program, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. SZ is supported by an Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence Grant (CE140100027).application/pdfen-AU© 2017 Elsevier LtdChildrenIndependent mobilityParentsPhysical activityQualitative methodsWorries, 'weirdos', neighborhoods and knowing people: a qualitative study with children and parents regarding children's independent mobility201710.1016/j.healthplace.2017.03.0052024-03-03