As I began to read the thought passed through my mind "what if someone encouraged their child to put all that electronic stuff down and go out and play and then the child goes out and there is no living children outside to play with".....Then I pondered that for a few seconds.
I of course remember those days when there were no electronic things. We had a black and white TV though and for some reason, my mind never seemed be concerned that there was no real colors. We did eventually get a color set, but we were never near the first of folks to change over. You didn't get rid of something that was still working, to get a different one. Anyway.....
We LIVED to go outside! Couldn't wait to get out. We did live in a residential neighborhood where nearly all of the families had children of some age or the other. We had so much fun, sand piles, swings, outdoor games, playing in the woods building huts and forts. There really was no end to the things to do, especially in the summer.
I think children are really missing out now. Being around others taught us many things about relationships and getting along. Those were the days for sure.
You say it well and I agree, they're missing out and don't even know it and the effects of that will be far-reaching. The sad thing is that parents who grew up like that are now teaching their kids the same thing and worse and so the cycle continues.
I know that times change, but when did manners become unfashionable, a good work ethic, the ability to entertain oneself, inquisitiveness and so on.
So sad.