We should allow kids to roam more. But their specific example of a couple letting their 5 year old go to the pond a couple blocks away without supervision is borderline. My spidey senses go off much more when water or pools are involved.

There are a number of more clear cut examples in the article.

A pond is not as dangerous as a pool unless the child is likely to swim in it.

its a pond in a gated complex. If they can swim its no danger.

the thing about "borderline" and "spidey sense" is that in no way should that ever lead to someone being arrested or forced to register as a child abuser, but it did. the entire point of the article is that these sorts of nebulous situations are being treated the exact same as undeniable abuse, and that's the problem.