A latchkey kid or latchkey child is a child who returns from school to an empty home because his or her parent or parents are away at work, or a child who is often left at home with little or no parental supervision.

The term refers to the latchkey of a door to a house. The key is often strung around the child's neck or left hidden under a mat (or some other object) at the rear door to the property. The term is claimed to have originated from an NBC documentary in 1944, due to the phenomenon of children being left home alone becoming common during and after World War II, when one parent would be enlisted into the armed forces, so the other would have to get a job.

The effects of being a latchkey child differ with age. Loneliness, boredom and fear are most common for those younger than 10 years of age. In the early teens, there is a greater susceptibility to peer pressure, potentially resulting in such behaviors as alcohol abuse, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity and smoking.

Socioeconomic status and length of time left alone can bring forth other negative effects. In one study, middle school students left home alone for more than three hours a day reported higher levels of behavioral problems, higher rates of depression and lower levels of self-esteem than other students.

Gavin Heaney (born July 18, 1976) (professionally known as Latch Key Kid) is an American singer-songwriter from Manhattan Beach, California. His albums include the self-titled "Latch Key Kid" released on September 21, 2005, "Miracle Mile" released on January 23, 2008, "All Becomes One" released on January 22, 2009 and "Live and Acoustic" released on October 19, 2009.

Born and raised in Manhattan Beach, California, attended Mira Costa High School and went to University of California, Santa Barbara, where he lived for about four years before moving back to Manhattan Beach.

Latch Key Kid creates his own signature sound by playing the guitar, bass, piano, drums, mandolin, and harmonica on his recordings. "Heaney's biggest strengths: He produces, plays multiple instruments, is stylistically diverse... His live show has been marketable, too." Think mid-60's Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Simon and Garfunkel: it's the ability to write songs that are like smiles.

His song Good Times was used in the opening of the DreamWorks movie I Love You, Man, and was included in the Lakeshore Records soundtrack of the film. The song is also used in the advertisements of Australian drama Packed To The Rafters. Good Times was also used in the 2008 Coca-Cola commercial entitled "Jinx" that first aired during Super Bowl XLII and reached an audience of over 97 million viewers. The commercial was considered, "A close second to Kina Grannis in terms of worldwide coming-out parties" for new artists. "The spot, featuring Democrat James Carville and Republican Bill Frist cavorting together, perfectly fit the mood of the cheery ditty about sharing good times with good friends."