Helicopter vs. free-range parenting: What are the benefits of unsupervised play?

Mounting evidence suggests a sheltered childhood may do more harm than good. Unsupervised play, once a normal part of American childhood, has largely been superseded by screens, structured activities and safety culture.

Now, a growing body of research suggests unstructured "free time" for kids engenders long-term benefits that far outweigh the risks.

Here & Now's Indira Lakshmanan speaks with freelance journalist and parent Simon Lewsen.