Setting Up a Lemonade Stand Without a Permit
While it isn't illegal to sell lemonade on the street, you now need to have a permit to do so. For children, this simply isn't realistic, which is why you hardly see children selling anything anymore.
Hitchhiking
Back in the day, hitchhiking was a freesable mode of transport for many people. More so, drivers often stopped to help hitchhikers out, without any concern for their safety or poor intentions. Nowadays, however, there have been so many horror stories of hitchhiking gone wrong that it is actually illegal in many places.
Riding a Bike Without a Helmet
Not too long ago, riding a bike without a hemlet was commonplace. In fact, even grand tour riders wouldn't wear them during competitions. After a number of fatal crashes, however, there are now a number of laws in place to protect children against head injuries.
Walking to School Alone
While some older school kids do still walk alone, it is actually illegal in many places for parents to allow their children to roam about without supervision. In fact, if they are caught, the parents are likely to face neglect charges.
Riding in the Back of a Pickup Truck
Many of us have wholesome memories of driving around town in the back of a pickup truck. Unsurprisingly, this is now illegal for safety reasons.
Playing Unsupervised in Public Parks
It's safe to say that young children had a lot more freedom back in the day. We could play in local parks, completely unsupervised, until any hour of the night and nobody would even bat an eye. Nowadays, however, parents could face 'child endangerment' charges if their children are deemed at risk.
Candy Cigarettes
While it's obviously not illegal for children to pretend that candy is a cigarette, there are now a number of laws in place regarding the production of these sweets. In fact, they are completely banned in many countries for pomoting tobacco use.
Buying Fireworks
Back in the day, it was incredibly easy for children to buy fireworks at their local store, without any parental consent or supervision needed. For good reason, firework sales are now restricted to adults, as they can lead to serious injury if misused.
Carrying Pocket Knives to School
Back in the day, when crime and violet school attacks weren't any near as common, children used to bring pocket knives to school to show off to their friends. Nobody thought anything of it. Nowadays, if a child is caught with a weapon of any kind, it is considered a serious offense.
Not Wearing a Seatbelt
Back in the day, many cars didn't even feature seatbelts, meaning that it was fairly common for people to drive without wearing them. In today's safety-oriented society, however, it is mandatory for all cars to have them and for passengers to wear them.
Roaming Malls Alone
Back in the day, children used to roam their local malls until any hour of the night (or even the early morning). For safety reasons, some malls now have curfew times for minors. More so, parents could face neglect charges if their child is deemed at risk.
Child Labour
While child labour has always been frowned upon, many children used to help out on farms and in factories for additional pocket money. In most areas, however, this is now illegal, as the minimum working age is set at 16 years.
Selling Homemade Food Door-To-Door
While it isn't illegal to sell homemade food as a business, there are now laws in place preventing people from going door-to-door in order to make sales. This mostly came down to health and safety concerns.
Working Paper Routes Before School
Back in the day, many kids used to ride around their neighbourhoods, dropping off newspapers in the early hours of the morning. There are now strict labor laws in place, preventing children from working entirely and restricting early work hours.
Skipping School Without Parental Consent
Children used to be able to skip classes or school entirely without their parents even knowing. Nowadyas, truancy laws are enforced more strictly.
Bringing Pets to Class
We all remember the days of bringing our pets to class. In some schools, there was even a class hamster or guinea pig that kids got to take home every weekend. Today, however, it's illegal in many places, mostly due safety and allergy concerns.
Climbing Tall Trees in Public Spaces
While it's obviously not illegal to climb a tree on your own property, it is illegal to climb trees on public land. To be more specific, parents can be held liable for neglect if their children are caught doing so.
Riding Rollercoasters Underage
Back in the day, there weren't really any restrictions when it came to riding rollercoasters - no matter how intense they were. Due to safety concerns, there are now strict height limits enforced by law.
Swimming in Lakes or Rivers Unsupervised
Back in the day, the law used to be much more relaxed when it came to children swimming in public bodies of water. Nowadays, it is considered unsafe and often prohibited. In the case of a tragedy, parents can be held accountable due to neglect.
Playing With BB Guns
Just a few years back, BB guns used to be the toy of choice for many children. However, due to safety concerns, they have now been banned as a children's toy in many countries. In order to buy one, you will need to prove your age.
Exploring Abandoned Buildings
There is something so thrilling about exploring a building that had been abandoned for some time. However, nowadays, tresspassing laws strictly forbid it. More so, it is considered unsafe, ecspecially for young children.
Camping Alone in the Woods
While wild camping is allowed in some countries, it is illegal in most areas. This mostly comes down to safety concerns, especially when there is a child involved.
Driving Tractors or Farm Vehicles
Back in the day, it was commonplace for children to help out on farms. To be more specific, they would often drive tractors and other farm vehicles around. Unsurprisingly, this is now illegal, as a liscene is required for safety reasons.
Riding Horses on Public Roads
Back in the day, it was fairly common for children to go horse riding - even on public roads. It was an easy mode of transport, especially for those who weren't old enough to drive yet. However, due to safety concerns, it is now illegal to ride horses on public roads.
Travelling Alone on Buses
In many areas, it is now illegal for children under a certain age to ride alone on public transport. However, back when it was much safer, kids used to use buses and trains to get everywhere, without any concern for their safety.
Buying Cigarettes for Parents
Understandably, it is now illegal for children under the age of 18 to buy cigarettes or any sort of tobacco products - even if they aren't actually buying it for themselves. Not too long ago, however, it was completely normal for parents to send their children to their local store to pick up their cigarettes.
Buying Alcohol for Adults
Similarly to cigarettes, it was fairly common for parents to send their children to their local liquor store to pick up their alcohol. In order to prevent underage drinking, however, it became illegal for stores to sell liquor to anyone under the age of 21.
Traveling Without ID
Not too long ago, traveling was incredibly easy - even if crossing into another country. People used to simply check their bags in and walk onto the plane, without any sort of security checks. However, after a number of incidents, it has become necessary for people, no matter their age, to travel with ID documentation.
Playing With Matches
While it can't technically be enforced behind closed doors, numerous fire safety laws prevent minors from purchasing and playing with matches.
Buying Slingshots
Slingshots used to be fairly popular childrens toys back in the day. However, like the BB gun, it got pretty dangerous, especially when used without parental supervision. As a result, the toy was promptly banned and can now only be purchased by people over a certain age.
Riding Bikes at Night Without Lights
Bicycles used to be the preferred mode of transport for children who didn't have their drivers license. In fact, they used to stay out until dark, riding around town without any concern for their safety. Nowadays, however, it's illegal for anyone to ride a bike in the dark without a light.
Playing Near Train Tracks
We all have good memories of playing near train tracks when we were younger. However, it is now illegal to play on train tracks, due to tresspassing and safety concerns.
Playing With Fireworks
Playing with fireworks was once considered fun. Not only is it now illegal to buy fireworks under a certain age, but it is also illegal to play with them.
Babysit Younger Siblings as a Child
Nowadays, leaving a young child to babysit their sibling for a prolonged period of time is considered neglectful. While the child obviously wouldn't be punished themselves, their parents would be held liable, especially if an incident were to occur.
Two Kids on One Bike
Back in the day, it was fairly common for children to share one bike. One person would sit on the handlebars, which obviously wasn't very safe, especially seeing as though kids would ride without helmets. As a result, it is now illegal.
