According to publications.aap.org:
“The largest segment of missing children in the United States includes runaways, children who run away from home, and throwaways, children who are told to leave or stay away from home by a household adult. Although estimates vary, as many as 1 in 20 youth run away from home annually. These unaccompanied youth have unique health needs, including high rates of trauma, mental illness, substance use, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections. While away, youth who run away are at high risk for additional trauma, victimization, and violence. Runaway and throwaway youth have high unmet health care needs and limited access to care. Several populations are at particularly high risk for runaway episodes, including victims of abuse and neglect; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth; and youth in protective custody. Pediatricians and other healthcare professionals have a critical role to play in supporting runaway youth, addressing their unique health needs, fostering positive relationships within their families and with other supportive adults, and connecting them with available community resources.”
This is important because multiple things can happen to children and they can end up causing underlying issues, potential dangers, and a need for intervention to ensure their safety and wellbeing. Running away exposes teens to various dangers, including violence, substance abuse, and criminal activity. Running away often indicates breakdown in communication, family problems, bullying, or other difficult situations that need addressing. Running away can cause disruption in education, lead to mental health problems, and create a cycle of running away and reconciliation.
This shows that children need a lot of support and guidance from their family and should be more active with their parents on a regular basis.
