School children are developing 'eco-anxiety' as climate change continues to dominate the news agenda, a leading psychologist has claimed.

The panic sparked by the climate change debate has raised fears that the mental wellbeing of young people is suffering.

Child psychologist Andrew Greenfield explained that 'eco-anxiety' comes from young people feeling 'helpless' about the environment.

'[Eco-anxiety] is some form of anxiety about where the world is heading when it comes to climate change,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'To some degree, the anxiety stems from kids lack of ability to control what is happening.

'They want change but they feel helpless to some degree to be able to get that change.'

More than 300,000 protesters in 110 towns and cities across Australia flooded the streets last Friday as part of the Global Strike 4 Climate. Pictured: schoolkids protest in Sydney

A girl holds a 'There is no planet B' sign at the Sydney Strike 4 Climate rally on Friday September 20

More than 300,000 protesters in 110 towns and cities across Australia flooded the streets last Friday for the Global Strike 4 Climate.

The worldwide demonstrations were inspired by teenage environmental activist Greta Thunberg, who first made headlines for a one-person climate strike outside the Swedish parliament a year ago.

Speaking about the protests, Mr Greenfield said it was important children stood up for their beliefs but also stressed concerns about the implications.

'I think it's certainly great for kids to say what they think and have their voice, I think it's got to happen in the right way,' he said.

'Encouraging kids to be able to take time off school, is that a great way to do it? I guess we've got to think about that.

'But I think it's about power in masses and people feel as though they have the ability to control more whats happening with a power in numbers.'

On Monday, 16-year-old Greta berated world leaders for their inaction on climate change at the UN summit in New York.

The speech captivated audiences around the world but divided opinion on how young people are coping with the threats of the future.

Child psychologist Andrew Greenfield explained that 'eco-anxiety' comes from young people feeling 'helpless' about the environment

In her explosive speech, Greta said: 'We are in a mass extinction. And all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth. How dare you!'

Mr Greenfield addressed the heightened 'emotion' of Greta's words and urged young people to conduct research on climate change.

'Everyone sees her emotion, it was quite an emotional speech that she made,' Mr Greenfield said.

'To me, I encourage kids to try and research as much as they can.

'It's very difficult to know what to believe for a lot of these kids as well. They've got to believe what people around them believe, what their teachers say, what their parents say and what their friends say.'

Mr Greenfield said communication on the issues would be increasingly important in the long-run to avoid individual pressures.

'All individuals can do, is what they can do themselves. It's about communicating that's what it's all about rather than just physically making a change to the environment,' he explained.

'Of course that's important because it all adds up but making sure that we communicate it, talk about it and discuss it too with as many people as we can.'

On top of diving into research and communicating, Mr Greenfield urged young people to put things into perspective amid 'eco-anxiety'.

'Try to find out what the facts are,' he said.

'Regardless of that, we got to make sure the anxiety doesn't take over our lives and that's easier said than done.

'You're going to be anxious about lots of different things in the world because we can't control everything in the world.'

Swedish activist Greta Thunberg scolded international delegates telling them 'you have stolen my my dreams and my childhood with your empty words' during a speech at the UN headquarters in New York

On top of diving into research, Mr Greenfield urged young people to put things into perspective amid 'eco-anxiety'. 'We've got to put things into perspective and we've got to still live our lives as well,' he said

Mr Greenfield said the feeling of 'learned helplessness' can lead individuals to 'stop trying just because it's too overwhelming'.

'We've got to make sure that kids aren't doing that, that there's always something you can do,' he said.

'We've got to put things into perspective and we've got to still live our lives as well.

'It's not as if the world is going to stop tomorrow because of what's happening... It's a while away but in the meantime we've got to get on with our lives and put things into perspective.'

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hit back against Greta's hardline stance on global warming, and said 'we've got to let kids be kids.'

He said children need to be protected from 'needless anxiety' and reminded the younger generation that they live in a 'wonderful country and pristine environment.'

'I don't want our children to have anxieties about these issues,' he said.

'They will also have an economy to live in as well.'