In my suburban high school social world, before cell phones:
Loitering around shopping malls
Showing up to the movie theater an hour or two before the movie we all agreed to watch together, and then an hour or two after.
Parks and playgrounds if the weather was ok
Cafes, diners, restaurants where lingering was tolerated, even for those who didn’t order anything.
Local sporting events (usually high school or rec league teams).
A lot of these still exist in some degree, but the loss of malls and movie theaters has really put a damper on things, and the rise of cell phones has deemphasized the need for in person interactions with peers (rather than following an influencer on social media).
Loitering was basically never prosecuted. Now it is. Just hanging out at the movie theater for an hour or two before/after a movie sounds like a great way to get arrested.
In my suburban high school social world, before cell phones:
A lot of these still exist in some degree, but the loss of malls and movie theaters has really put a damper on things, and the rise of cell phones has deemphasized the need for in person interactions with peers (rather than following an influencer on social media).
I’m going to throw in ‘the local field that isn’t a park but people use it like one.’
Yep. The good old vacant lot that nobody gives a shit about. Really underrated place for kids.
Loitering was basically never prosecuted. Now it is. Just hanging out at the movie theater for an hour or two before/after a movie sounds like a great way to get arrested.
TBH I hadn’t noticed the loss of malls. I guess that’s a problem though. Around me there’s still plenty.
There’s still lots of malls … but they’re empty. And often prohibit minors without an adult.