Fascinating. I've brought this up before. Spoke with my doctor once saying I think we'll damage the future generations with all these signs and instructions for what should be obvious.
He said then (couple of years ago) it is already happening and he gets loads of youngsters coming to him saying they are self harming etc.
The 'this product might contain fish' allergy warning on a tin of tuna, or nuts on a packet of peanuts.
People are scared of everything these days and it's because that is the society we've built. It isn't any more dangerous than it was when I was a kid and used to go and play in the fields by us. But the perception is that it is.
Only thing that I think are less safe are roads, purely because there is more traffic.
There was a programme a few years ago as well, I think I did a thread on it here, where the presenter (my sort of generation, so approaching 50) was talking about punk and what the youth used to up to. Hanging around with each other in town. He showed where his mates used to hang around pointed out no one was there these days. Said they are all at home on skype, whatsapp, social media etc.
He did point out it is harder for them to rebel that it was for 'us'. He was right there, there is no band my nephew or niece could go and watch that would have me shocked, it's more likely I'd be there as well. Whereas before, the grown ups would be different and you could rebel.
He said maybe they had it right, nice and warm at home, getting their homework done, not putting themselves in danger but finished with a line I totally agreed with.
"But I can't help but feel they are missing out."
Great read that, good thread, thanks northampton.