…because young kids are insane and constantly make poor choices when left to their own devices.

I don’t think kids should walk to school independently until they’re at least about 9 or 10. Before that point their decision making skills are simply not developed enough and their understanding of risk is basically non-existent. Is it probably fine at a younger age? Yeah, but it’s not a risk worth taking, especially given how society at large generally considers all kids to require 24/7 parental monitoring even at ages where they should gain some independence