TED Talks Daily How to raise confident kids in an age of anxiety | Lenore Skenazy
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Oct 11, 2025 
Lenore Skenazy, a journalist and founder of the Free Range Kids movement, dives into the need for childhood independence. She shares insights on why modern parenting has become overly safety-focused and how this has contributed to rising childhood anxiety. Skenazy emphasizes the value of allowing kids to take risks and learn through mistakes. She offers practical steps for parents to gradually grant their children more freedom while building resilience. With a focus on community involvement, she inspires a shift toward confident, independent kids.
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Subway Story That Sparked A Movement
- Lenore Skenazy let her nine-year-old ride the NYC subway alone and embraced the backlash that followed.
- She found his joy and competence disarmed critics and highlighted kids' desire for independence.
Childhood Has Shrunk Across Generations
- Childhood independence has shrunk dramatically across generations, from miles of roaming to being confined to yards.
- Let Grow seeks to renormalize and legally protect kids' ability to do things on their own.
Media Fueled The Rise Of Hypervigilance
- The 24-hour news cycle and high-profile kidnappings amplified fear and pushed hypervigilant parenting.
- Media's appetite for alarming stories distorted parents' perception of actual risks to children.
