For runaway messages, how old must the individual be?

Runaway messages typically refer to situations involving minors who have left home without permission. In this context, an individual must be seventeen years old or younger for the situation to be classified and communicated as a runaway. This is consistent with how many jurisdictions define a runaway minor, where the legal age of majority is often set at eighteen. When an individual is seventeen or younger, they are still considered a minor and thus fall under protections and legal definitions associated with runaways.

Older individuals, such as those eighteen and above, would not be categorized as runaways in the same manner since they are legally considered adults and able to make their own decisions about where to live or whom to associate with. This understanding is crucial for law enforcement and social services when responding to runaway situations, as it determines the appropriate protocols and support mechanisms needed for the individuals involved.