Are you tired of novels that involve teenagers as protagonists? I was going to use young adults but teenagers would give more freedom in writing. Thoughts?

A bit. It's been a hot minute since I've been a teenager. And I find my tolerance for teen angst decreasing with each passing year.

Why can't they in their 30’s?

Or 40’s?

Or octogenarians?

Or non-humans?

How can minors have more narrative freedom without evoking the tiresome dead/ abscent/ seriously neglectful parent trope?

Obviously you're the author. Do what you want. It's your story and ypu should know what age makes the most sense for your story.

Just don't limit yourself to teens for no good reason