As a kid growing up in the 2010s, I remember when there used to be PS1 kiosks in the middle of the joint, all 4 in a row playing Crash Bandicoot. The kiosks even looked the part with artificial grass and green and sandy beige paint. I don't remember where I saw them though, it might've been a Maccas, Hungry Jacks or some random resturant. But these kiosks weren't that busy since most of the other kids were busy playing in the playground. And I think that speaks measures about how much things has changed since the 2010s vs 2020s in terms of hope for our children and the hope children have in themselves. You can absolutely be sure there'd be 4 or 5 more kiosks for these kids playing Fortnite or some other F2P game, while the resturant completely rids of the play area (or it just gets underutilized by the kids).
The majority of kids nowadays have been raised with the notion that nothing is more entertaining than an iPad. They spend time alone with an internet connection and flashing lights, and even if they go to a park, they'll still prefer to be alone with flashing lights rather than socialize with the other kids. This obviously stunts their social abilities and willingness to become friends with everyone, which is the same whimsy we've all had when we were kids, me included.
These kids have almost nothing to make friends out of, with the removal of third places and parents not knowing how to raise them, as well as all of them being basically identical since they watch the same content as every other kid instead of doing other endeavours like painting or bike riding. But ay, world's changing and giving mega corps every facet of our children's lives was definitely a good call.
It's not completely lost on the kids though, as I see they're still making friends on the odd occasion. A family friend of ours have kids that go to soccer practice, play with all sorts of tools in the yard and even helps out their parents while they're gardening and doing housework. These kids, ironically, are being raised the same way we were, with old game consoles and limited access to the internet. Thus their boredom turns into curiousity, like what most parents should be doing instead of handing the phone to a screaming child.
I've been watching too much bullshit about Gen Alpha being a tragic generation and I could go on and on but I'll save people's ear from me lol