Netizens Spark An Important Discussion About Not Seeing Kids Having Fun Outside

When you ask adults, especially your own parents, you’ll hear complaints about kids not enjoying the outside world anymore. Then they drone on to tell tales about how they used to play with other kids and how much fun it was to stay out the whole day.

They recount the days they would meet at the park for social activities and let you know that you’re missing out on so much. Scrolling through your phone or playing games on your computer all day isn’t the way to spend your youth.

But have they noticed the difference in the outside world compared to the time they are reminiscing about? What were once trees and parks are now modern buildings and places where you need to pay to stay.

The surroundings are not the only factors that make kids hesitant about going out; there are also issues like a lack of public transportation and the strictness of their parents. What parents do often provides great social opportunities, but these activities are still related to schoolwork or chaperoned events.

There’s a tweet, however, that found its way to Tumblr and sparked a discussion about why the sight of kids playing outside is rare enough to be questioned by adults. Many thoughts emerged from academic studies, but one thing is for sure: kids do want to play outside.

The body started from this tweet by Mitchel Jorstad. Although it might be seen as a diss by adults, the message is true.

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It’s now a concrete jungle out there, and the kids weren’t the ones who made it that way, for sure.

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Then it made its way to Tumblr, where someone commented on how it looked like their hometown, and it’s quite sad that this place seems to lack fun spots for kids to hang around.

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There are so many rules that benefit adults, yet they are doubtful why kids choose to stay at home in the comfort of their own rooms.

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This is a sad story from one of the people who responded about the environment created by adults who are blinded by their own perspective.

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Learn2anarchy created this comic about how people have messed-up priorities that ultimately affect not just themselves but also younger generations.

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There were multiple opinions in the discussions, but something stood out among them: Gretchen McCulloch.

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The writer herself, Gretchen McCulloch, expounded on passages from her book, painting a clearer picture of how kids and teens are actually affected.

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With all of these external factors looming over their plans, you can’t expect them to resolve these issues before they can comfortably hang out. This is why, as much as parents think their kids are addicted to social media, it’s their main way to socialize with the friends they make.

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If adults reflect on their actions when they were younger, they might understand the real problem.

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Adults do have more flexible access to their independence.

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A lot of the blame for the younger generation’s inability to socialize in person goes to their consumption of internet hours, and an ethnography by Dana Boyd was included in the discussion.

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Teens actually do socialize; it’s just different from what their parents would consider socialization.

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The activities that parents consider are admittedly less fun than what teens have in mind.

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Then other factors arise that make parents wary of letting their kids out, such as the expectation to be home before dark.

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But when you look at it, during the daytime, kids are mostly at school.

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Teens might be plagued by responsibilities too.

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It doesn't matter which class they belong to; there are common factors that spark wariness for kids to stay outdoors.

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Helicopter parenting is also a major factor that prevents them from freely enjoying their time.

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This makes the normal pattern of their socializing a bit stuttered.

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If adults and parents want to understand their kids more, then this book is highly recommended.

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It's not new for adults to misunderstand the younger generation. They grew up in a different time and under different circumstances.

Then there's also the fact that there are many misconceptions about the effects of technology on today's youth. Nevertheless, the assumption that kids don't want to go out and socialize is debunked by the discussions brought forward by those who commented.

Do you agree with their opinions? Share yours in the comments.