I can see looming, and I'm bowing out.
Really? I don't think anyone has been out of line, it's been a sensible discussion and shows we all have different opinions often based on how/where we were raised.
If I saw a toddler roaming the streets I would be concerned but if you see a 6 year old kid walking to the shops it's unlikely it's the first time they done it and if they look confident then I wouldn't be overly concerned