I'd say it's more likely thanks to more cars and better news coverage, now you hear about every kid being attacked/abused, while in past this was not so widely available knowledge playing into parents fear
I'm not from US, this is problem everywhere, no matter whether you are in China or middle of Europe, actually I'd say there was much bigger increase in car ownership in recent decades outside US than in the US, especially in China and Eastern Europe
so this is my biggest fear with my kids roaming outside - whether someone will hit them with the car, 2nd biggest would be probably potential attacks/bullying by immigrants (kids)
I agree with better news coverage (I'd argue it's more news coverage, in which social media plays a huge role), but I'm not sure I understand your point about more cars?
I think I would agree with that. I don't have kids, but I have a lot of nieces and nephews, and my biggest fear for them playing alone outside would be getting hit by a driver who isn't paying attention.
Helicopter parents and keeping kids "safe" by isolating them started before social media and smartphones. Back then, heavy metal, rap music, video games, Dungeons and Dragons were all ruining kids lives and driving them crazy, not social media.
Doesn’t sound right. I play D&D with my kids and play heavy metal which they hate. I’m scared of trafficking and abductions. That’s what social media trained me on putting it in my face all the time. The TV news did similar. Fear sells and we’ve created a fearful society for profit.