LET CHILDREN BE CHILDREN! Enriching, formative, and satisfying: my grandfather recently told me about his childhood, replete with exhilarating escapades and journeys. He would spend hours in the local forest, surrounded by joy and laughter. At weekends, he was allowed to cycle to Somerset and back. Where is this independence in current children? When did society become preoccupied with restraining our children? It is outrageous how parents today are excessively risk-averse and protective! It is outrageous how parents are restricting their children from maturing into adults! This kills the free-spiritedness and curiosity necessary for a functioning society. Trying to protect children means they will forever remain children and never develop the skills required of adults. In my school, not one student is allowed to holiday abroad alone. Surely, we must allow our 16-year-olds to make this trip independently. If not, how will we survive in the real world? Will our parents take us to the bank when we need a mortgage? Will our parents take us to our first job interview? Holidays enable children to gain many crucial skills: overcoming barriers, budgeting responsibly, and self-sufficiency. It is imperative that young children develop these skills. It is imperative that young children encounter the world around them. Recently, York University authored a pioneering piece of research, 'The Death of Childhood'. Through this longitudinal study, the sociologists exposed the consequences of overprotective parents. Their findings were sickening. 60 per cent of all primary school children reported a lack of independence due to over-cautious parents. These same children were disproportionately affected by unemployment. Do you know a mother willing to inflict this on her child? Of course not. I am not heartless; I understand that many parents want the best for their children. They fear the tangible dangers of this world and believe that keeping their children close can protect them from reality. But when did 'safety in numbers' evolve into imprisonment? However, the widely publicised idea that the world is increasingly dangerous isn't true. According to the ONS, violent crime rates have fallen to an all-time low. This means our streets are safe, nurturing, and secure. And the place where children are most vulnerable is in their own home: on social media. Parents are facilitating connections with real people by letting children explore their surroundings. Further, many psychiatrists assert that exposure to nature benefits health. If children are given more freedom, they will be happier and healthier. How can this not appeal to you? Granting our children more freedom scares parents, but it must be encouraged. Children who are sheltered from reality will not develop resilience. The only way to support their development is by granting them freedom. With freedom and independence, children are confident, acute, and engaged members of society.