When I was growing up in the 80s in the US, I would - walk and bike around the block by myself when I was 7 - walk to the stores 1.5 miles away when I was 9,

When I was growing up in the 80s in the US, I would - walk and bike around the block by myself when I was 7 - walk to the stores 1.5 miles away when I was 9, sometimes with my 3 yr older brother - explore the irrigation ditches behind my house when I was 10 - skate down to the mall when I was 13 My parents warned me that the guy across the street with a VW van was 'weird' and might molest me, but didn't try to restrict me much. I also played my share of Sega games and learned to program on an Amiga and C64, so I was even a bit of a homebody compared to many kids. I can only imagine how dull my childhood would have been if I was barely allowed to leave the house. It amazes me how little people trust their children and society these days.