I use them for older children if walk on main road. It only take split second for something bad happen and when more children than hands, these are useful. That said, once we off road on onto tracks they come off but children know that whenever their traffic, these are used. Once child is 3+ depend on personality, I not so rigid with using. For me, it's more about the wobbly 2-3 year old that stumble and can easily trip into road.