My son is 9 years old. Is it still ok to take him to the beach until he is aged 13 or does shemiras anayim apply in some way already? If shemiras anayim applies now, can you please tell me why (for example, is it a mitzva of chinuch that starts at age 9? or what is it please?)
Thank you.
Answer:
Chinuch for matters of modesty will apply from the age that a child understands the concept of modesty, and can be trained in it.
I would say that from the age of nine or so it would not be proper to take a son to a mixed beach. Although the formal concept of shemiras einayim might not apply (unlike other mitzvos, which a child can perform just as an adult), it is correct to train him in refraining from this while before the age of bar mitzvah.
Best wishes.
