This is one topic, The State of Washington, has fought for many years. That children should not have a curfew, because it violates their civil rights. There is much information, on this topic, at Washington State.gov.
From a police officers point of view and many years of experience, I have found that teenagers need a curfew for one reason…..to keep them out of trouble.
I recall one incident when four male teenagers were just standing on a corner, around one am in the morning. Each had a can of Mountain Dew in their hand. I natually asked them if they knew what time it was. One stated, “it’s none of your damn business”. Bad mistake. I got out of my police car and questioned them at length. I smelled the faint smell of alcohol on the breath of all four. I reached down and smelled the can of Mountain Dew, that one teenager had in his had. I later discovered it was vodka, colored and disguished as Mountain Dew. All four had vodka cans and all four were taken to juvenile for underage possession of alcohol.
If these four had been at thier home, at this time in the morning, I would not be answering your question.
There definetely needs to be a curfew for underage children. If not, this is usually the time they get themselves into trouble and I believe the stats will back me on this.