I believe now kids outside of crazy dense areas basically study, playing video games, and are forced to depend on their family to take them around. They have no true independence because you can't get anywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if around the early 2010s phones were made much more accessible and that has some correlation with the issues seen in the article.
- Difficulty getting insurance to see the doctor impacts peoples' safety and sense of safety. - Fear of gaps in insurance coverage keeps people in toxic jobs where they feel unsafe. - Many people can't get prescription medicines they need, impacting health. - Homelessness is increasing - Polarized political speech, including hate speech, causes legitimate anxiety, contributing to poor psychological health.
None of the above things were as big of a problem 20 years ago. Using "crime" as a measure of unsafety only makes sense if you have access to healthcare, a stable job, and don't face discrimination.