Biggest concerns for parents as Gen Z heads off solo travellers for the first time
From group trips to Malia and Zante to post-exam interrailing, the summer of 2025 marks a huge milestone for thousands of young people, and a nerve-wracking one for their parents.
According to Jessie Chambers of Global Work & Travel, the travel company is seeing a spike in enquiries not just from excited Gen Zers, but from anxious parents who are grappling with a new wave of fears around safety, scams and social pressure.
“Whether it’s their first flight without you or their first time staying abroad, parents today aren’t just worried about passports – they’re worried about everything from lost phones to fake boat parties,” says Chambers.
The Top 5 Concerns Facing Parents of First-Time Solo Travellers in 2025:
1. Travel Scams & Safety Gaps
From fake TikTok event tickets to cloned Airbnb listings, young travellers are prime targets. Parents often aren’t aware how much fraud now looks like fun.
2. No Offline Back-Up Plans
With many teens relying solely on phones for everything (tickets, maps, payments), one lost device can derail an entire trip.
3. Peer Pressure vs Safety
Parents fear their child won’t want to speak up or walk away from risky situations for fear of “ruining the vibe”.
4. Communication Anxiety
A lack of regular check-ins – or cryptic replies like “yeah landed x” leaves many parents refreshing WhatsApp obsessively.
5. Travel Insurance Confusion
Many families skip proper travel cover or assume it’s bundled in. But with party injuries, stolen phones and missed flights, claims are common and often denied if bought too late or incorrectly.
Advice for Parents From Global Work & Travel on Solo Travellers
- Set expectations early: Agree on check-in times and safety rules – before they land.
- Don’t rely on friends’ parents: Group travel doesn’t mean group responsibility.
- Consider a vetted travel provider: Look for ATOL protection and support services.
- Have a ‘lost phone’ plan: Print copies of passports, contact numbers, and key bookings.
- Talk openly: Focus less on rules, more on trust, prep and smart decisions.