I really liked the term at first, because in my teaching experience I've learned that students (especially children) need to feel physically and emotionally safe before they are capable of learning. On the other hand, the term "safe spaces" has recently come to mean sheltering adults from challenging ideas and differing viewpoints. It seems to me that students ability to be vulnerable and take on hard topics has to start with a deep foundation of trust (or secure attachment). So... should we keep using the term safe spaces? Is there a better term we could use that doesn't have all the negative connotations? And what is the secret for mentors to balance emotional safety and intellectual challenge in an academic environment?