Experts claim that overly protective parents, known as "next-level helicopter parents," are hindering the growth and independence of college students.

College students are becoming "next-level helicopter parents" due to rising parental anxiety, a psychotherapist told Planet Chronicle Digital. While this may be well-intentioned, it can have negative consequences in the long run.

Jonathan Alpert, a psychotherapist in Manhattan and Washington, D.C., and author of the book "Be Fearless: Change Your Life in 28 Days," stated via email to Planet Chronicle Digital on Tuesday that there is no doubt that parents are more anxious and intrusive than ever.

Some parents monitor their children through apps and try to communicate with teachers, according to Alpert.

With the resumption of college classes, anxious parents are flooding social media with posts seeking advice on whether to contact their child's RA, mediate roommate disputes, or drive to campus to assist their child in making friends.

A first-year student at Yale shared on Reddit's "r/College" page on August 29 that her parents are "constantly monitoring" her, including setting a bedtime.

According to Reddit user "Sageshrub," they have set a rule that they must be in their dorm by 10 every night. They have updated their location on Find My to their iPad, which they keep in their dorm, and paused their location on Life 360 to avoid being tracked.

Sageshrub wrote that her mother "contacted my school's police dispatch and discovered my location" after she did not respond to the phone.

"She emailed my dean and wants me to withdraw from school, making me anxious and depressed. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get some peace?"

"Does anyone have any ideas on what I can do to finally get some peace?"

Planet Chronicle Digital reached out to Sageshrub for any updates.

Alpert stated that such excessive behavior from parents is not an unusual occurrence.

He stated that he has observed many parents contacting him to schedule therapy appointments for their young adult children, which he believes is driven by parental anxiety rather than the child's inability to make an appointment.

Alpert stated that parents with a strong emotional bond with their child may experience an equally intense sense of loss as their child goes off to college.

Parents can gain a sense of control and reassurance by using apps to track their children, which helps alleviate their anxiety.

He recommends that parents strike a balance that allows their children to develop as independent adults.

Parents today are experiencing anxiety about the possibility of anxiety, according to Jennifer L. Hartstein, PsyD, who shared this with Planet Chronicle Digital. Hartstein Psychological Services, PLLC, is based in New York.

"This issue eventually affects the college-aged child, causing them concern, as stated in the email," she said.

At the beginning of college, it is typical for students to experience an "adjustment period," characterized by anxiety, sadness, and difficulty settling in. Hartstein noted that many parents react intensely to this, believing their child is experiencing a severe issue rather than typical responses to newness and change.

By attempting to solve the problem, these parents inadvertently hinder the child's growth, learning, and resilience.

"Although it may appear simpler for parents to intervene, doing so can actually harm the young people," she stated.

According to Hartstein, parents should manage their own emotions and assist their children in learning and navigating, rather than taking control.

Some new college students' parents continue to hover over them as they have always done.

‘Helicopter parents for years’

Dr. Gail Saltz, an associate professor of psychiatry at the NY Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine and host of the "How Can I Help?" podcast, stated via email to Planet Chronicle Digital that parents who engage in certain behavior are "inhibiting their child's ability to become an independent, self-sufficient adult."

"Their child's successes [are] a reflection in their mind of their vigilant parenting, and the struggles of their children mean they aren't doing a good enough job."

Saltz stated that many parents have been helicopter parents for years, smoothing the way, helping their kids avoid mistakes or failures, and taking care of problems their children encounter.

Their child's successes are a reflection of their vigilant parenting, and the struggles of their children mean they aren't doing a good enough job, she explained.

Raising young people in this way is not preparing them for a successful adulthood.

"Independent, functioning adults are those who possess confidence in their ability to manage life, including the ability to learn from mistakes and bounce back," she stated.

If a parent is constantly tracking and editing their child's homework, they will not have the ability to learn from their mistakes and gain confidence in their academic abilities.

Saltz stated that this is the first time these kids are managing both concrete and emotional tasks on their own, which will cause struggle due to parent-made realities.

According to Saltz, the combination of anxiety about a child facing challenges and the likelihood of something going wrong when they're independent results in extreme college helicoptering.

‘Not losing your teenager’

"Sending your child to college is a sign that you did everything right, and parents should understand that their teenager will still be with them, even though they're away at college," Alpert said in an interview with Planet Chronicle Digital.

It is important for a parent to trust that their child has been well-taught and is capable of handling challenges, as this is an essential part of character development.

"Trust you've taught your child well, and that he/she will know how to handle the many challenges that lie ahead."

Someone experiencing these emotions, he suggested, should "reframe it as a sign of progress and achievement."

Alpert advised that "next-level helicopter parents" should focus on their own mental well-being, as stress can be contagious and their children may want to comfort them.

Alpert stated that a child who believes they are responsible for calming a parent's anxiety may struggle to adapt to college life.

He stated that it can put them in a difficult position where they feel conflicted: prioritize the parents' emotions or assert independence.

Alpert advised that anxious parents should seek support from other parents.

He stated that they would comprehend your feelings and you could become each other's closest companions during this transition.