What must be established for a parent to avoid liability for their child's tortious acts?

To avoid liability for their child's tortious acts, a parent must demonstrate that they made reasonable efforts to control the child. This principle is rooted in the concept of parental responsibility, where parents can be held liable if they fail to manage their child's behavior adequately, especially when the child is of an age where they could foreseeably commit harmful acts. The law emphasizes that reasonable control is necessary to prevent foreseeable misdeeds, and a lack of such measures could imply negligence on the part of the parent.

Moreover, establishing that reasonable control was exercised can serve as a defense against claims of negligence. This does not negate the child's liability but shifts the focus to the parent's actions and their duty to manage and supervise their child effectively.

The other options do not effectively address the core of parental liability under Georgia law or general tort principles. For instance, the age of the child alone does not exempt the parent from liability; mutual agreement between parties is irrelevant in this context; and the notion that the child must be acting independently without knowledge is not sufficient as it overlooks the responsibilities of the parent in controlling their minor child's behavior. Therefore, demonstrating reasonable efforts to control the child's activities is the correct standard for parents seeking to avoid liability.