There is a common perception that children are at greater risk than 25 or 50 years ago.
What I have never seen is any evidence that this is actually true, that the rate of child molestation or abduction has actually increased, as opposed to the media coverage of it.
With quite rare exceptions, in the past abduction was local or possibly state news. Today each is reported nationwide, leading to the perception it happens more often. That perception may or may not be accurate.
While I place the blame for children having no freedom to just play outside on pervs, there are other reasons. Mothers are now working outside the home leaving entire neighborhoods empty. When I was a child there were women home in nearly every house. Today? Not. Families are smaller, less children and those that are there are in day care somewhere. The rare mother home with her children has no playmates for them, thus no gangs of children playing in a neighborhood game of baseball. Very sad state of affairs, children have no idea what they are missing. Exercise being the least of those things. The loss of freedom is something they do not even know to miss.
This would make a great study and book.