I'm a teenage babysitter, so I'm a little biased But I'd like to think I'm as responsible as someone older. I don't think anyone should hire a babysitter who isn't first-aid trained (teenage or not), and obviously experience counts for a lot.

I don't think that having a degree in childcare is something completely necessary for babysitting, though. Mums don't have degrees and most of the mums I know do a pretty great job with their kids.

For a regular nanny, of course, my opinion is different, but for a casual babysitter I think it's okay to have a teenager.

Also, $10/hr is very reasonable, even without the TV, internet and food.