Once-Common Childhood Activities Now Seen As Dangerous

Children often think they are invincible, able to climb, jump, leap, and do just about anything they can with no repercussions. They don't have the same sense of fear or doubt that begins to creep into many of us as adults. Which is both a blessing and a curse. How many of us would love to go back in time, to that place where we could partake in these once-common childhood activities now seen as dangerous? It might not always have been the smartest thing to do, but it was always so much fun.

Even everyday things children used to do are often seen as taboo now – drinking out of the water hose, riding in the car without a seatbelt, and the scariest of them all, climbing on the all-metal monkey bars (a structure that results in more injuries than any other playground apparatus).

To compile this list of once-common childhood activities now seen as dangerous, 24/7 Tempo consulted Psych Central, NPR, and Idaho Youth Ranch. (For more throwback content, click here to read about childhood traditions from the '80s that should come back.)

Some of the best memories kids have are from spending time on the escape route. These days, adults prefer spending time on rooftop bars. They look out onto the cities they live in or visit. Most get that same feeling of adventure when hanging out on a rooftop bar. Unlike a lot of the things on this list, adults have figured out a safer ways to recreate the same memories from a fire escape.

Tons of hospital visits stem from people deciding it was their turn to play Superman. These days, adults wouldn't fathom letting a child near a balcony. The fear of what might happen consumes most people. Even college-aged kids who once jumped from balconies are refraining from doing so.

In 2024, few people would even dare attempt to sneak into a construction site. For starters, many legal ramifications might come from it. People also know how dangerous it can be if something were to break and hurt you while at the site. There are a plentiful amount of other places to hang out at for fun.

Most people in 2024 are looking for clean areas to swim in. Swim holes aren't the safest place when it comes to germs and bacteria. The teenagers who frequented swim holes are spending more time watching shows with potential partners. The thrill of exploring nature has left the newest generation.

These days, parents freak out if their child is gone for more than 30 seconds without an update. While it's good to want to keep your child safe, many parents don't feel the desire to let their kids go out into the world. This likely won't change in the future. Kids are far too enamored with technology and video games to explore the outdoors around them.

Today, we know how dirty fans are. There's so much dust that collects inside a fan. Germs are seemingly everywhere on the object that's meant to cool you down. These days, kids care so much about hygiene. They don't want to risk getting sick. Given the fact that most kids grew up wearing masks and social distancing during formative years, this way of thinking makes sense.

There were even chances of hitting the side of a staircase and going through it. Kids in 2024 only want to play video games during their sleepovers. Even if they wanted to try sliding down the stairs, their parents would immediately step in and say no. There are too many ways to get hurt or damage the house. These expenses aren't cheap to repair these days.

The injuries didn't stop kids from playing when their friends got hurt. Shoes were also destroyed during these endeavors. The bottoms lost their grip and needed to be replaced sooner. Rather than get upset, parents happily paid for a cheap pair of shoes.

However, kids don't find the same joy of hanging out on a roof anymore. It's rare to see anyone relaxing on top of a roof. Even adults don't like to be up there. The only time most people are ever seen on a roof is when it needs repair. These days, adults like spending time on rooftop bars. They get the same excitement from a roof, without the danger that comes with it.

Drivers were always on the lookout for potential riders racing by them. These days, kids are advised to stay away from racing their bikes down the road. More kids are going through life without the knowledge of riding a bike. It's rare to see a group of friends climbing to the top of a hill to race down.

These days, most groups of friends keep in touch via texting. It's easy to know where everyone in your friend group is at any given moment. Past generations didn't have the easy access that the current generation does. If you wanted to go somewhere, you had to plan to meet at a certain time. You then had to hope everyone remembered the time and place. The easiest way to get somewhere was to ride together in one car.

These days, abandoned buildings are boarded up. It's nearly impossible to get inside. Even if you pull the feat off, the buildings are typically gross and filled with animals most people want to avoid. Some folks are crazy enough to continue exploring. Most would rather sit back from the comfort of their home and relax.

In 2024, people are more conscious about protecting themselves and their bodies. They know trips to the emergency room are much more costly than trying to look cool for others. Some kids even make fun of you if you don't care about protecting yourself. The tides have truly changed from what looks cool and what doesn't while riding a bike.

In 2024, vending machines filled with cigarettes are seemingly obsolete. It's challenging to find them even in Las Vegas, where smoking is around every corner. People know the risks and health problems that arise while smoking. Fewer folks are spending their money on cigarettes. If the vending machines were to make a comeback, they'd have to sell vapes. That's what the current generation of people are inhaling.

In 2024, plenty of remote jobs ensure that children won't be left alone. Security cameras are now inside homes so parents can still be in charge should something happen. Adults aren't as comfortable leaving their children behind with the rise in weird behaviors some people exhibit. If you aren't in high school, you likely won't be alone with younger siblings at home. Too many things can go wrong in 2024. For more throwback content, click here to read about the biggest icons of the '70s.