This has been my experience as well - especially when C++11 came out. I have seen codebases where it has been "use std::shared_ptr for everything, becuase it is safer if/when we use threads". I know that doesn't make sense, but it just was the attitude back then.

Tbh, Back then, I didn't see a problem with it. Once i started chasing down weird bugs where objects aren't freed properly because no one knew which objects own what, I have been very cautious.