The Palmetto Education Summit 2026

Something fundamental shifted in parenting culture over the past decades. What was once considered normal childhood—walking to a friend’s house, playing unsupervised, handling age-appropriate responsibilities—became labeled as “neglect.” Meanwhile, anxiety and depression in young people skyrocketed. This session explores the cultural transformation from trust-based to fear-based parenting, unpacking how media narratives, legal ambiguity, and parental anxiety created this shift—and what the research actually tells us about child safety and development. Discover the real data on childhood danger, examine the disconnect between perceived and actual risk, and explore how we collectively decided that constant adult supervision was not only necessary but good parenting. Perfect for educators, administrators, and school counselors seeking to understand and teach that giving kids room to grow isn’t risky—it’s essential.