Re:Study: Minimal evidence links social media, gaming to tee...
by jedberg on Monday January 19, 2026 @05:52PM
(#46685686)
A related problem is other parents. Even if you want to let your kid be free, you can't, because nosey neighbors will report you to the police.
It happened to us. We let our kids stay in the car, during COVID, while we quickly shopped.
After we got home, the cops showed up and told us someone reported us for neglecting our kids. My wife just kept asking "did we do anything illegal?" and finally they admitted that no, we didn't. They just said
"it just doesn't look good, with all the crime out there".
I said "what crime?". Then they had to admit that crime is way down over the last 30 years, and is especially low in our area.
They eventually left, but it has a chilling effect on letting our kids be kids for fear that it will happen again.
It happened to us. We let our kids stay in the car, during COVID, while we quickly shopped.
After we got home, the cops showed up and told us someone reported us for neglecting our kids. My wife just kept asking "did we do anything illegal?" and finally they admitted that no, we didn't. They just said
"it just doesn't look good, with all the crime out there".
I said "what crime?". Then they had to admit that crime is way down over the last 30 years, and is especially low in our area.
They eventually left, but it has a chilling effect on letting our kids be kids for fear that it will happen again.