What happens to those kids we see trapped in strollers for hours during prolonged bouts of parental wandering in shopping malls?

Some children are just naturally quiet and enjoy sitting there watching the world go by.
Unless you have actually followed the parents for hours, you can’t be sure the children aren’t let out occasionally.
My grandsons loved their strollers for up to an hour or so, then insisted on getting out.

@Jeruba , What age range are you considering? Up to 1½ or 2, it may not be so bad. Beyond that, I think you have a valid point. I am reminded of the movement to build riskier playgrounds

My mom carried me sometimes till I was 4 or 5. I don’t remember being in a stroller.

My super active granddaughter, who is now 4, could sit in a stroller for hours. She was thoroughly entertained by the world going by. Other kids might throw a fit. If mine did I let them get out and walk with me.
I sometimes think about things like that when we tie our kids down in car seats for hours.

My question is basically: What are they like when they get older? For instance, if they were fine sitting still in their strollers and watching the world go by, do they love outdoor sports now, or do they mostly watch TV and stare at their phones?

I don’t think it affects them that much @Jeruba. The mere presence of cell phones, TV games, and TV is what causes them to lose themselves in them. It has nothing to do with sitting in strollers. I mean, if they were in them 24/7 I imagine it would affect them. For one, they wouldn’t be able to walk.