infosec.exchange/@JessTheUnsti…

Basically, it's this helicopter parent notion that strangers are scary and kids shouldn't be allowed out to knock on doors, so they set up these artificial gatherings of known parents to trade candy with rather than just walking neighborhoods and getting to meet other people.

Jess👾

2025-10-31 00:08:22

Kids are safer going door to door asking for candy than they are going to church.

In my area, we're up against a lack of sidewalks making walking in the dark unsafe and the houses are far enough apart that the young kids aren't going to get a "proper haul" before they get too cold and tired to go on. The elementary school puts on a trunk or treat so that the young kids in particular can have a concentrated place to get a bunch of candy and don't need to walk on the side of a dark road. Then also everyone hits up the nearest dozen houses or so on the night itself.

My sister-in-law lives on a busy county highway, so they hit up their local trunk or treat, just their immediate neighbors (I don't think they even cross the street), then drive the couple towns over to my place and the cousins all trick or treat together.

I dunno. I've never heard another parent say anything about being worried about their kid knocking on a dangerous door, but I will also readily admit to not being the most socially aware person. When I have heard safety concerns, though, it's always that we've built towns where you can't safely walk anywhere.