Longitude is a 3-day outdoor music festival held annually in London. With big name acts, exciting activities, and tens of thousands of attendees, it’s an epic event that many 16-year-olds are eager to attend. However, with large crowds, drugs, alcohol, and minimal supervision, parents often wonder if Longitude is a safe environment for their teenagers. There are valid concerns about the risks that need to be weighed against the rewards when deciding if a 16-year-old is ready for an intense festival experience.
Security and Supervision
Longitude organizers take security very seriously and work closely with police to try to ensure a safe event. There are police, security guards, and stewards patrolling the grounds at all times. Bags and entrants are searched on the way in. Anyone acting aggressively or dangerously can be removed. Medical staff are on site to assist with any health issues.
However, with tens of thousands of people spread across a large area, supervision is still quite limited. Once inside, teenagers will have a lot of freedom and may easily lose track of each other. There is also the possibility of mixing with older strangers. Parents won’t be there to monitor behavior or intervene if problems occur. Teenagers will need to use common sense and look out for each other.
Crowds
The crowds at Longitude can be overwhelming, especially for first-time festival-goers. Moving through hordes of people to get between stages can be stressful. It’s easy to get separated from friends. With everyone packed tightly together, there is also the risk of crushing injuries. Stage rush when popular acts come on has caused accidents and fatalities at other festivals.
Younger teenagers may find the crowds disorienting. It’s recommended to agree on meetup spots if getting separated. Staying together as a group and not fighting against the crowd flow will make navigating the masses easier. Being patient and polite, while loudly voicing any distress, can help reduce anxiety.
Drugs and Alcohol
Illegal drug use and underage drinking are common at music festivals. Longitude has a no tolerance policy and security does confiscate substances and turn minors with alcohol over to the police. However, it’s impossible to stop all minors from gaining access to restricted substances. Peer pressure and desire for an enhanced experience may tempt some teenagers to indulge.
The risks of unsupervised drug and alcohol use include impaired judgement, dehydration, overdose, unsafe behavior, and medical emergencies. Teens who choose to experiment should be educated on dosage, staying hydrated, avoiding mixing substances, and recognizing signs of distress in themselves or friends. They should be reminded to make smart choices and seek help if concerned.
Activities and Entertainment
In addition to the music acts on multiple stages, there are many fun diversions at Longitude:
- Fairground rides
- Carnival games
- Food stalls
- Bars for the over 18 crowd
- Product vendors
- Meet-and-greet with artists
- Silent disco party
- Comedy performances
Most activities are fine for ages 16 and up, but some bars and late night events may have age restrictions. Teens need budgeting skills as food, drinks, and souvenirs can get expensive. It’s best to set spending limits ahead of time so they don’t overindulge in the excitement of the event. Responsible teen behavior is key to having fun at activities without safety risks.
Tips for Parents
If allowing a 16-year-old to attend Longitude, parents can take measures to promote safety:
- Ensure they are going with trusted friends
- Meet any unknown older companions
- Set check-in times and protocols
- Review festival rules and get contact info
- Ensure they have charged phones, power banks, cash
- Discuss potential drug/alcohol risks
- Verify they have arranged transport
- Pack sunscreen, nourishing food, hand sanitizer, first aid kit
- Remind them to stay in populated areas
Meeting to share festival experiences afterward shows interest in the teen’s life. Parents should encourage questions and open discussion. Any concerns or problems can be addressed to guide future decision-making.
Is a 16-Year-Old Ready?
Every teen matures differently, so there is no universal age when a music festival becomes appropriate. Consider your child’s personality, behavior, planning skills, and level of responsibility. Do you trust them to make smart choices even without supervision? Can they follow rules, meet obligations, and avoid high risk behaviors? Will they look out for friends? How do they handle crowds, unfamiliar environments, lack of sleep? Be honest about any hesitations.
Have open conversations about the pros and cons of festival attendance at 16. Involve your teen in the decision process. Together you can determine if they can handle the challenges. If you decide to allow it, put extra safety nets in place. If you have serious doubts, it may be better to wait until an older age. There will be more music festivals in the future.
The Pros of Attending at 16
There are many potential rewards that make Longitude appealing for 16-year-olds:
- See favorite music acts perform live
- Meet people from all over with shared interests
- Experience freedom and independence
- Make memories with friends
- Escape from daily routine
- Enjoy entertainment and activities
- Discover new bands and music styles
- Grow from challenges and new experiences
- Feel part of a community and culture
With the right mindset, teenagers can have the time of their lives at Longitude while staying safe. It provides an opportunity to expand horizons and build self-confidence. They gain practice making mature choices in an unfamiliar environment. With proper planning and supervision, many 16-year-olds can successfully handle a music festival.
Potential Cons of Attending at 16
There are also some potential downsides for a 16-year-old at Longitude:
- Feeling overwhelmed by crowds, noise, lack of sleep
- Becoming dehydrated or sunburnt from prolonged outdoor time
- Misplacing valuables with limited security in tents
- Conflicts arising from lack of privacy sharing campgrounds
- Peer pressured into drinking, drugs, or rule breaking
- Limited hygiene at campsites and porta potties
- Risk of exploitation from predatory older strangers
- Getting lost or separated from friends
- Injuries from moshing, rushing stages, or accidents
- Exposure to vulgar language, excessive nudity, lewd behavior
Younger teens may make poor choices when overwhelmed or unsupervised for an extended time. Preparation is essential to avoid or manage potential problems. Parents should consider if their child can handle uncomfortable scenarios.
Conclusion
Longitude offers amazing experiences that many 16-year-olds are eager for, but also comes with inherent risks. Parents must weigh the rewards against the hazards to determine if their teen is truly ready. With proper planning, rules, check-ins and open discussion of any issues, many 16-year-olds can safely enjoy Longitude. It provides valuable lessons in responsibility that set teens up for more independence. However, some may lack the maturity required in which case it may be best waiting until an older age. Know your child and trust your parental intuition when deciding if Longitude is right for them.
Reference List
- Longitude Festival Safety Tips. Visit London. https://www.visitlondon.com/tag/longitude-festival-safety-tips
- Drugs and Alcohol at Music Festivals: How to Protect Your Kids. Partnership to End Addiction. https://drugfree.org/article/music-festivals-drugs-alcohol/
- Music Festival Safety Tips for Parents. Very Well Family. https://www.verywellfamily.com/music-festival-safety-tips-for-parents-child-festival-safety-4174630
- Music Festival Safety 101: What to Expect, Bring & More. Festlens. https://www.festlens.com/festival-advice/festival-health-safety/music-festival-safety-101-what-to-expect-bring-more/
- The Pros and Cons of Letting Your Teen Go to Big Music Festivals. Red Tricycle. https://redtri.com/pros-and-cons-of-letting-teens-go-to-music-festivals/