Five-year-old William woke early and snuck out for Chick-n-Minis. When cops were called, they spared the boy’s parents, breaking from their all-too-common habit of arresting and charging parents with neglect.
A mom who trusted her kids to play outside ended up under repeated investigation.
A new poll finds that children crave real-world play with friends, not more screen time. But we’ve made that nearly impossible.
Most parents say they wouldn’t let their teen wander alone on vacation. But a study shows that declining independence in children could be feeding anxiety and depression.
Letting children walk alone isn’t a crime. But in North Carolina, prosecutors are treating it like one.
A new Georgia law could protect Alexandra Woodward's parental decision—but it doesn't go into effect until July.
Nominees include stories on inflation breaking brains, America's first drug war, Afghans the U.S. left behind, Javier Milei, and much more.
"That guy isn't being trafficked by anyone," says sociologist Emily Horowitz.
"What is the end game here? Can you write a citation? Can you take me to jail?"
"Some people think that this is not one of those things that's super important—until you're affected by it," says David DeLugas.
We're hemorrhaging our child population for a reason.
Plus: German elections, how I almost got arrested this weekend, and more...
"Make childhood great again," says state Sen. Lincoln Fillmore.
These products can give kids independence and parents peace of mind.
Here's hoping for a free-range 2025!
Thankfully, a judge reunited the Boatright family last week.
Giving kids freedom doesn't just help children, says Lenore Skenazy, founder of the nonprofit Let Grow. It helps parents, too.
"I was not panicking as I know the roads and know he is mature enough to walk there without incident," says Brittany Patterson.
Media hysteria and overzealous governments have led many to believe that childhood independence is a form of abuse.
In the Netherlands, kids grow up with more independence than in the United States.
Kirstie Allsopp posted online about her teen son's trip around Europe. Then someone reported her to the government.
Bad policy and paranoid parenting are making kids too safe to succeed.
"I never thought that this was even humanly possible," says Sabra Brucker.
In a letter sent to parents, school officials say the clothing is more "associated with depression and mental health issues and/or criminality than with happy and healthy kids ready to learn."
Online trolls weaponized child protective services against J.D. and Britney Lott and their eight children.
"Can a child not ride her bike on the street in this neighborhood anymore?"
A pilot study encouraged parents to let their kids go free-range.
Thanks for the heads up, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
"It really feels as though maybe we've lost touch with what's developmentally appropriate," says one Montgomery County mom.
It took a lot of work to clear this quiz show milestone.
This new school-to-parent pipeline allows parents to micromanage yet another aspect of their kids' lives.
Young people need independent play in order to become capable adults.
"You just can't raise kids like that anymore—it isn't safe," the cops told the Widner family.
"No parent can shield a child from all risks," the Iowa Supreme Court ruled.
A recent Pew survey says parents are "very involved in their young adult children's lives," but one might quibble with the definition of "very involved."
More like total eclipse of the fun.
A new white paper from the Canadian Pediatric Society recommends more unstructured play time for kids.
"The fear of liability is ruining modern childhood," says one mom.
Tim Carney discusses America's "baby bust" on the latest episode of Just Asking Questions.
And some good news, after all.
"People understand that these child abuse pediatricians have unlimited power," says Aaron Rapier, an attorney for the Kruegers.
An excursion into Facebook groups for empty nesters shows many of them could use a hobby, a job, or even a straitjacket.
Students in four Oklahoma school districts are also required to wear their school ID on a lanyard and sit on their own team's side.
A new study shows the pervasiveness of helicopter parenting.
Across the country, ghoulish cities have outlawed teenage trick-or-treaters.
These kinds of poisonings are rare to nonexistent.
In her new book From Rage to Reason, Emily Horowitz explains what's wrong with the sex offense registry.
Let's celebrate her return without exaggerating the relevant dangers; stranger abductions are rare.
