There is no law about when you are old enough to have a girlfriend or boyfriend, unlike the age of consent. You need to know your child well, because some children may be ready for a relationship at 12 but another not until they are 17.

Is it OK to be in a relationship at 12?

Theres no one age when people “should” start dating — plenty of people dont start until their late teens or after, and some people start earlier. At 12, going out in groups is a lot more common — and can probably be a lot easier and more fun, too — than going out with just one other person on a DATE-date.