Hi there,

I’m 23, and while I do agree with parts of your post, I think there are some other angles worth considering that might help explain why kids today seem so different.

1. The relationship with the police isn’t what it used to be. My mum tells me about local officers being involved with schools and the community, but I’ve never experienced that. I’ve never had a positive encounter with a police officer. They don’t come across as approachable or protective anymore, more like they’re just there to get the job done. When the public sees cases like Sarah Everard or hears stories of police misconduct, it's hard to feel any sense of respect or fear — especially if your experience of them is mostly negative. If the only time you hear about police is when they've messed up, it’s difficult to view them as role models or authority figures.
2. The whole “neighbours telling your parents” thing doesn’t hold the same weight today. Where I live, people don’t really know their neighbours — the sense of local community just isn’t there in the same way. Whether or not a child cares about being told off depends more on how they’ve been raised than what their neighbours think. I knew not to act out because my dad’s disappointment alone would destroy me, but that only works if there’s a strong foundation of respect at home. If a child doesn’t respect their parents, they’re unlikely to respect teachers or any other authority. Respect has to be taught, and it has to mean something to the child.
3. Technology is a huge part of the shift. It’s not just that kids are glued to screens — the internet has become a whole new world. It’s how we learn, socialise, and build our interests. That’s not always a good thing, especially because a lot of us were exposed to things way too young, but when everyone around you is online, you don’t want to be the one left out. It’s not just about avoiding boredom — it’s how we connect and even explore parts of our identity that wouldn’t be possible just hanging around outside.
4. The outside world isn’t always that appealing anymore. Jobs are harder to get. Youth clubs and community centres are few and far between. A lot of kids don’t want to hang out on the block — and honestly, most of the jobs we aspire to now revolve around media and creativity, not physical labour or traditional work. Kids don’t dream about being astronauts anymore; they want to be content creators, YouTubers, influencers. It’s a different path, but one that feels more achievable and relevant to the world we live in.

From my own experience, I do think a lot of it comes down to what’s instilled at home. I was raised to fear my mum’s tone alone — she didn’t need to shout. I think some parents today are afraid of being strict, or maybe they don’t want to be “scary.” But boundaries matter. iPad culture is wild now — kids know how to search things before they even understand the words. And honestly, if you’re dressing your 8-year-old in a Nike Tech fleece and letting them run around in a balaclava, but expecting them to act like a model citizen, the priorities are off. A lot of kids are being shaped more by online trends than real-world discipline.

I’m not saying things were perfect back then or that kids today are worse — but they are different. They’re growing up in a world with different pressures, different opportunities, and in some cases, less support. And values don’t just magically appear when someone turns 18 — they’re developed over time, starting at home.