I am also from a younger generation and from a state that has experienced quite a bit of pollution, but before the popularity of the smartphone ~2012 or so, there was still much more play outside. As for crime, it has been on a downtrend for decades, and many areas are the most peaceful they've been in years¹. I admit this may still be higher than in Europe, but this is exactly the fearmongering message platforms like X try to spread to garner support for authoritarian policy

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crime_in_the_United_States

1. I am not saying people are playing outside at the same levels. 2. I live in the rust belt and don't need to be told what I see is fearmongering. I have been personally affected by it.