Key points

Sleepovers used to be a fun part of childhood, but many parents and experts have concluded they're dangerous.

Benefits of sleepovers include social development, independence, creativity, and fun.

Concerns about sleepovers often center on opportunities for sexual abuse, bullying, and sleep deprivation.

Parents can make sleepovers safer by ensuring kids' maturity, responsible supervision, and an escape plan.

Many major media outlets—as well as lots of other information sources for parents—have been covering the dangers of kids having sleepovers, with reports from parents and experts who describe kids’ sleepovers as “dangerous,” “harmful,” “unhealthy,” and even “ traumatic .”

I think of sleepovers as inherently beneficial for kids, but I also respect the concerns I’ve been

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