Definition
A child safety concept emphasizing that children should be wary of unfamiliar people and avoid accepting rides, gifts, or going places with strangers. The phrase encapsulates a protective approach to teaching kids about potential threats from unknown individuals.
Example Usage
Parents taught their kids about stranger danger to help them recognize and avoid potentially unsafe situations.
Origin
Emerged prominently in the 1980s as a response to high-profile child abduction cases and became a staple of child safety education.
Fun Fact
Modern research suggests 'stranger danger' may be less effective than teaching children about body autonomy and trusting their instincts, since many child abductions involve acquaintances rather than strangers.
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “stranger danger” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator