I sometimes think that my generation was the top for a while. I grew up around computers, but besides playing, I had to learn how to configure them. LAN networks, IP address, DNS, torrents (trying to not catch a virus!), WinAmp and all those other crappy players that need you to detail the files, oh, and of course cracking games! It was a lot of games, but also a lot of skill acquired. I saw a meme the other day that millennials are the generation that solves computer problems for both the previous and the following generation.

On the other hand, we still had to learn so much hands-on stuff. Building forts in the woods, repairing our soft guns, patching bike tubes & repairing the chains. I had to help (and did so gladly as it was kind of fun) renovating the lower floor of my grandmas house so my dad and I could move in.

With the world becoming seemingly more dangerous and at the same time full of distractions, many parents retract from their responsibilities. Instead of paying attention and make sure the kid gets the experience without hurting itself, they prefer not to allow the experience at all. Instead of paying attention to the child, they have so many other things to do (or prefer them), and hand over a cellphone or tablet to shut it up - like the TV back in the days.