A case in which a woman in South Carolina was charged with neglect for leaving her nine-year-old child to play in a park unsupervised while she went to work has sparked debate and made headlines around the world.

In Manitoba, The Child and Family Services Act says children under the age of 12 need to be supervised or have reasonable provisions made about safety.

CTV Winnipeg raised the issue with a number of people in Winnipeg and received a variety of opinions.

"I guess it depends if they're by themselves or if they have a group of friends they're with -- and how far away they are from home,” said mom of two Susan Riehl.

“If it's just a block away I might be willing to let them go if they are with a group of friends. If they're by themselves -- I would be there."

Riehl remembers being free to roam as a child but said she won’t allow her children the same freedom because she believes times have changed.

“You hear all kinds of terrible stories,” she said. “And I don’t want to be the mother dealing with a terrible story.”

Family counsellor Karen Bourdon said parents have to walk a fine line between allowing children enough autonomy to mature and also looking out for their safety and security.

"Somebody that's raring to go like a horse on reins, we need to allow them freedom but still watch over them because they are not adults. They do not know as much as they think they do,” said Bourdon.

Mom of two Lindsey Coyle agrees – in theory.

With a three-year-old and five-year-old she still has a few years before making decisions about giving them room to explore on their own.

"It's a fine line and it really depends on your kids but I think kids have to have that ability to make decisions on their own,” said Coyle.

Detective Sargent Natalie Aitken with the Winnipeg Police Service said the law in Manitoba is written in terms general enough to allow officers to use some level of discretion.

"We will look at each situation on its own merits - so, each family, each child. There's many different situations that could occur,” said Aitken.