When I was that age, 12, I was dropped off at a mall.
I was in 7th grade.
My friends were too. We went as a group. My parents were in REGULAR contact with my friends parents, too. We all knew each other. It was a small town.
But it is really up to you... and how you know your daughter.
We don't know her.
ALSO as a side note: just because a kid is going to the movies, it does not mean they are at the movies, the whole, time. When I was that age, we went as a group of friends. There were boys too, our friends. Some of the kids, would go off and do other things. Pairing up/making out, etc. Then when it was time to be picked up by their parent, sure, they went to their pick up spot. Right on time. The parents didn't know, what their kid was doing while at, the mall.
Not all kids are this way, but that is what I saw amongst some kids that were at the mall.
It is up to you, totally, on when you allow your daughter to be dropped off at the mall. Some kids have no parental boundaries. Some do.
It is up to you and your Husband.
And only you, know your daughter.
And please, don't get swayed by the "well all my friends do that..." sort of griping that kids do and tell, their parents.
YOU make the rules.
YOU decide.
YOU decide when and where she goes and what time she gets picked up.
AND only you know, if your daughter knows appropriate protocols per emergencies or whatever, and per safety.
Does your daughter wear a watch?
Does she have a cell phone?
What are the laws in your area? Per unsupervised kids? Curfews etc.?
DOES your daughter, even know those things?