In the United States, a 2002 Census survey reported 5.8 million (15%) of all humans between the ages of five and fourteen years living with a mother care for themselves an average of 6.3 hours per week and 65% of those children spent between 2-9 hours home alone. White non-Hispanic children are more likely to be left home alone than children of other races .

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, it is estimated that approximately one out of every 10 children in grades 4 through 12 is or has been a latchkey kid. The average amount of time a child is home alone either before or after school is approximately two to three hours. "Most children will come home, grab a snack and either watch television, play video games or get on the Internet," says Mara Berkley, a family therapist and professor in Bristol, Rhode Island. "These children are not being stimulated enough. There is also the danger of inappropriate exposure without adult mediation such as on the Internet, flipping through channels or even afternoon talk shows."

According to Berkley, the negative effects of being a latchkey kid can be a major cause for concern. In addition to the fear of being alone, lack of stimulation and no adult supervision, there may be the feeling of being overwhelmed by the responsibility that accompanies a latchkey situation. "Latchkey kids are often given too much responsibility at too early of an age," Berkley says. "Also, if there is more then one child, the oldest -- who is then responsible for the younger siblings -- may feel overwhelmed by the responsibility. These children do not have the maturity of a parent to be responsible for younger siblings. There are a lot of emotional conflicts that occur between siblings and, in the latchkey situation, there is no grown up to mediate or model."

As an alternative to this potentially dangerous habit, NASH offers the Latch-Key Kids program. NASH provides a safe lace where these children can go after school and before their parent or parents return home from work.

College students will volunteer their time as tutors and temporary guardians for a few hours every weekday between the hours of 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM. This program serves society and puts the minds of many parents to rest.