I had similar experiences around a similar time frame. I had no idea how lucky I was. As an adult I moved to another city - what I found after moving is that

I had similar experiences around a similar time frame. I had no idea how lucky I was. As an adult I moved to another city - what I found after moving is that there are no sidewalks, lots of hills, and virtually no where is safe to bike. (sadly this is still pretty much the case 20 years later around here, although they have added some 'bike lanes' and laws.. you couldn't pay me to bike around here. Arcades have closed, no skateboarding and similar trespass rules are common now to deter hanging out at strip malls and such. I keep recalling the news story some years back where a mom was arrested for allowing her kids to go to the park without a parent (maybe it was chicago or similar?) Friend's houses have become a worry about all the stories you see in the news / social feeds about drugging / raping / guns / unfiltered porn / hidden cams etc.. I too have pity for today's youth with heads in phones - however seeing what some of the other hoodlums are doing with idle hands these days, on top of the rampant dangers outside the homes, I'm glad there are all these screen options today.