The helicopter parent phenomenon can be damaging to a child’s independence however not as damaging as the child exploitation and abuse coverups that have been exposed during the era of helicopter parents.

Institutions that parents were meant to trust (Catholic Church, Boy Scouts of America, USA swimming, USA Gymnastics) proved themselves unworthy of that trust and parents have reacted to the extreme. However, I would argue that parents limiting the sovereignty of their children is their responsibility (and not the government’s).