Mum slammed for letting kids play outside alone - but argues they have protection

It's very important for children to play outside and get fresh air, away from television screens, video games and tablets indoors. As well as burning lots of energy, being around nature helps to develop their physical and mental health and is a great way for young kids to learn social skills.

Though many people debate whether it's safe to let youngsters outdoors without parental supervision, especially on driveways, front gardens and public parks. One mum has sparked a conversation online after sharing a video on TikTok that quickly went viral of her kids playing in the front garden near the road.

Stephy shared a clip of her young children playing outside on the lawn (Tiktok/@shrinkingstephy)

Then she showed her German shepherd dog watching over them (Tiktok/@shrinkingstephy)

The footage uploaded by Stephy Noonan on @shrinkingstephy shows three children sitting on the grass playing with their toys, overlaid with a message that reads: "Aren't you afraid of your kids playing outside by themselves?"

Then the clip pans to a German shepherd dog laying a few metres away keeping an eye on them, with an overlaid message that says: "NOPE."

Stephy captions the TikTok, that has now been viewed 1.5 million times, "My kids are good #germanshepherd #protectiondog."

The video sparked a debate between TikTokers, with many praising the "guardian angel" pooch for his good work.

"Best babysitter mama. Your trust is in the right place!!!" one person said, while another commented: "Best security device laying out there with them."

The video sparked a debate between parents about letting kids outdoors alone (Tiktok/@shrinkingstephy)

"My son had a pit boxer mix when little. I never worried. They have grown up together and Bob the dog is eight and my son is 19 and no one can touch him," a mother commented.

"My anxiety level wouldn't handle them by the road... in case they get too close... but I know that dog is better than any babysitter," someone else said.

Many viewers also expressed their concern for the kids playing so dangerously close to the road.

"Awesome but by the road though???" one said, and a second wrote: "Your German shepherd might protect them from strangers but not from a car not paying attention to the road. Please have them closer to you."

In a follow-up video, Stephy reassured users that "no children were harmed" but agreed they had been "too close to the road".

She later moved their toy fort further up the garden so they'd be closer to the house.

What do you think about children playing outdoors alone? Let us know in the comments.