What we lost when we stopped letting kids leave the front yard | Hacker News

Modern suburbs give children fewer reasons and safer places to roam on their own.

Compared with walkable, dense neighborhoods, kids now have less unsupervised play and more indoor entertainment.

The piece argues that suburban design and car dependence reduce boredom, autonomy, and everyday social interaction.

It suggests built environments shape childhood independence, with real effects on development and family life.