As mental health issues surge among U.S. children, one nonprofit is offering a surprisingly simple solution: let kids be kids—independently.

Lenore Skenazy, author and co-founder of Let Grow, believes that today’s overly protective parenting is contributing to the rise in anxiety and depression among children. Partnering with psychology professor Peter Gray, Skenazy champions a return to unstructured, unsupervised play and childhood independence as a way to help restore kids’ emotional well-being.

Research supports their theory. Gray and his colleagues have found that the decline of childhood freedom—especially since the 1970s—has correlated with increased mental health struggles. Let Grow’s initiative encourages schools to assign “independence homework” and works with lawmakers to protect parents who allow their children to engage in everyday solo activities like walking to the park.

Despite widespread agreement that free time is beneficial, a recent C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital poll shows a disconnect between belief and practice. While 85% of parents say unsupervised time helps their children, only a minority actually allow it in practice.

Skenazy argues that our current culture of fear may be doing more harm than good. She calls on parents and educators to help children reclaim their autonomy—believing that confidence, resilience, and happiness will follow