It seems to be a century-plus-long trend, to go by this fun interesting book https://www.amazon.com/Where-Did-Out-What-Nothing/dp/0393339... written in the 1950s contrasting the author's childhood with the kids thenadays. My 1970s childhood wasn't too different from the 50s described, but had a little more control-and-safety, especially starting in the 80s.