Kids are not allowed to mow until 16 in my neck of the woods. I take my grandson with me some but all he does is slow me down. Would I hire a 16 year old? Not unless he could prove he would be on time all the time.
I meant to say kids can't mow commercial till 16 unless they run their own business. We also can not even start a commercial mower before 7 am. You can not load equipment on a trailer before 7 am. I know someone who got a ticket and fined $150
No mower police around here, do what ever turns you on. Children and mowers to my own personal feelings is a big NO. I think there is labor laws that regulate at what age you can hire a child to do any work for hire. As to your own children its all common sense in which some people just don't seem have. I had girls with no interest in mowing grass then or now so they never got need my mowers.