There’s a theory I’ve been mulling over recently, and I wanted to share it with you. It’s about the rising levels of anxiety in young people. 🧠

Now, a lot of people like to pin this problem on the COVID-19 pandemic. And sure, it didn’t help—but I don’t think it was the root cause. Anxiety in children was already an issue long before lockdowns came along.

So what is the cause? That’s what I’m interested in exploring—and I’d love to hear your thoughts too.

When I was growing up, mental health wasn’t something that got much attention. If you had ADHD, you were labelled as naughty. If you were autistic, you were seen as weird. There wasn’t much nuance or support—just labels.

But that said, I don’t remember as many mainstream kids struggling as intensely as they seem to now. The scale and complexity of what today’s children are dealing with feels different.

I heard a story recently on a podcast that really made me think. A parent (I think it was a mum, but I’ll need to find the exact episode) allowed her son to go into town by himself. He had clear instructions, he knew the route, he had a set time to return, and he was well-prepared. She shared this on social media—and the backlash was enormous.

People were calling her irresponsible. Some even accused her of not caring about her child’s safety. All because she gave him a bit of independence.

This mum ended up researching the feedback she received, trying to understand whether her instincts were wrong or whether society had just changed. It got me reflecting on my own childhood.

By the time I was seven, I was walking myself to school—about a 20-minute walk each way. I had my own front door key, and I’d play out with friends until it got dark. As I got older, I’d take myself into town, jump on the bus, and go shopping with mates.

We were self-sufficient.

Nowadays, a lot of that freedom has disappeared. Yes, we’re more safety-conscious—but have we gone too far? Are we raising children who are overprotected and underprepared?

Combine that with instant gratification (everything’s a tap away on a phone), the constant comparisons on social media, and the pressure to look perfect… and it’s no wonder anxiety levels are up.

When I look at the work we do through NLP4Kids, I see that we’re not just offering tools for managing emotions—we’re offering a lifeline for children to build resilience, confidence, and independence. And that’s exactly why our children’s franchise exists.

We’re giving professionals the skills and structure to help young people develop coping mechanisms, emotional literacy, and problem-solving abilities—skills that are more necessary than ever in today’s world.

The practitioners in our children’s franchise often tell us that they’re not just making a difference in children’s lives—they’re also helping families shift their perspectives. Encouraging parents to let go just enough to give their kids the freedom to grow.

And that’s why we’re so proud of the model we’ve built. This isn’t just a business—it’s a movement. A mission to empower the next generation through mental and emotional development.

If you’ve ever thought about joining a children’s franchise that creates meaningful change, I’d love to hear from you. And if you’ve got thoughts on this shift in parenting and anxiety, drop me a message. I’d genuinely love to hear your view. 😊

By Gemma Bailey (with the help of Ai)

Becoming a Licensee