That paranoia isn't being propagated by the kids themselves, is it? To me it seems like this culture of paranoia very harmful to everyone and as it has increased from one generation to the next, it does seem like it will influence a generation's ideas on how things should be.

We're talking about two things here - parents' unwillingness to let children roam, and childrens' willingness to roam the internet. The paranoia is definitely being driven by media through parents - "white virgin in peril" as trope translates to neighborhood watches and 8pm curfews. The abandonment of socialization in favor of online is more of a mixed bag - if the kids weren't satisfied with the outcome, they wouldn't push so hard into it. CB radio was big back in the late '70s, but not with teenagers. That's an alternate form of communication, too. So there's something about the Internet that works for kids well enough that they're willing to forego the social stuff.

t does seem like it will influence a generation's ideas on how things should be.

Totally agree. Basic problem is most people aren't very thoughtful. Statistics that point out that we're living in ever-safer times are really easy to come by. I'ma let my kid wander free and wild but I know that's gonna make me a total weirdo.

Well, I'd like to point out that the "everyone's a winner" culture is something that very much seems to clash with American professional and university culture.

For sure. But pragmatically speaking, by the time you hit college you're at the cusp of adulthood. The damage has been done. The experiences of college do not shape the behaviors of teen years.

but it does seem that at the very least, more attention is paid to the American teenagers who do feel isolated.

Media remains an overwhelmingly American phenomenon. Despite that, Hikikomori sure have been in the news a lot.

Anyway, my point was, kids have fewer of those "phone type" experiences now and I'm not entirely sure that's a good thing.

That's a good point. The fact that the default modes of communication are so poor is definitely a contributing factor.