Oscar, 15, was having the time of his life. He and a 16-year-old friend celebrated finishing their GCSEs by travelling across Europe by train.

But back at home a storm was brewing. Oscar's mother, TV personality Kirstie Allsopp, had been reported to the council for letting her son travel without an adult.

The story fanned a furious debate. "I'd never," thundered Metro's Gillian Harvey, "let my teens do what Kirstie Allsopp allowed her 15-year-old to". 

Others leapt to Allsopp's defence. The Times' Marina Fogle claimed that being allowed to travel as a teenager enriched her life. Risks and mistakes helped her to grow.

Many believe that parents have become too protective. Sociologist Jennie Bristow argues that: "The more we try to 'protect' children from the dangers and pleasures of everyday life, the less we prepare them for adulthood."  

There is no evidence that travelling around Europe by train is any more dangerous than crossing a street in the UK. Some argue that the biggest risks are now online, where children can come into contact with bullies and worse.

Teenagers have made far more dangerous journeys than Interrailing in Europe. For example, 13-year-old Jordan Romero reached the summit of Mount Everest in 2010, and two years later, Dutch teen Laura Dekker sailed solo around the world aged 16.

Others say that these are exceptional cases. Safeguarding children is difficult and involves balancing childhood freedom with protective measures. 

Would you have let him go?

Yes! The world is full of dangers. We need to experience it to learn from it. The real risks for teenagers are closer to home.

No! Travelling around Europe might be safer than browsing social media or crossing a busy road, but that does not mean that it is safe. Parents' first duty is to protect their children. 

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.