The decline in the freedom of children and teens to play, roam, and engage in activities away from adults has been a major factor in the decline in their freedom.
Since the 1960s, the number of children and teens who have anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts,
or have tried to kill themselves has gone up by a lot. In 2019, 36.7% of U.S. high school students said they felt sad or hopeless most of the time.
Mental pain comes from not being able to do things on your own and without being watched. As kids and teens grow, they need to be able to do more things on their own.
Pediatricians should be aware of children's needs for independent activity and talk with parents about them.
Children are happier and better able to deal with stress when they do things on their own. This gives them the courage, confidence, and skills to face life's challenges calmly and effectively.