Post #2781325

I wouldn’t only blame it on the lack of third places, though in the US jt does play a role and exacerbates the problem significantly. Id blame the addictiveness of social media/modern games, smartphones and the lack of effort from the parents side as well. I live in EU so there most definitely are third places where kids can go and play, most of the time these are empty or near empty. I see more kids gathered around power outlets in public buildings or malls than playing or running outside. I’m pretty much the only parent in my kids social circle who forces them to go outside, through association they call their friends out to play as well. On the other hand the overwhelming majority of the invites coming from other kids are invites to come online. So I’m left to carefully balance in encouraging them to play outside vs letting them play with friends online, to get their daily movement in vs having a social circle. Obviously this is slightly biased as it’s from my perspective and I’m not all-seeing.