I suspect that lockdowns look a lot like prison to an irrational, developing child who's subject to surveillance and not allowed to see their friends for a year.
Even outside of lockdowns, helicopter parenting seemed like a big problem.
My kid's high school is located in a part of town that is largely warehouses and hotels for business travelers. We joke that it's all just another warehouse with a different inventory.
Of course.. By that means, everything is a prison because there are restrictions. A joke about type of building is not the same as kids broken and domesticated or tyranny.
At the least, these supporting comments make me think that HN groupthink has slipped so far into a fantasy world full of hyperbole that no meaningful conversation can be had. Either your kids are in a cult or you are in a cult. I can only feel sorry for you folks.
FWIW, I have 2 kids and they have a very healthy life with school, sports and time to play with their friends.
Is this your assumption or you are doing this to your kids? My kids had remote schools, but they also went and met with their friends (albeit a smaller group than usual). Most of the parents took enough precaution and given the age group, we were all comfortable with kids being with each other.
Helicopter parenting is not related to the top level comment at all.
I don't think any parent I know actually prevented their kids from meeting their friends other than at the very very beginning of the pandemic (and before vaccinations). Internet hysterics aside, I think most parents appreciate their kids have mental health needs.
(Unless you think schoolmates are friends, in which case I have news for you...)
Even outside of lockdowns, helicopter parenting seemed like a big problem.