I sometimes wonder how much of this is actually on the parents as well? I see some of my co-workers handing phones with some games to distract their child. Previously we had smaller toys - plastic etc, now it seems phones are an easier go to medium.
What I sometimes miss from the conversation is that there is a lot of good things one can do with such device...and yes, also some bad ones...just like with a scissors or a lighter.
It’s on parents to teach their kids how the world functions and how to integrate into it...always has, always will!
And the latest craze (is this case smartphones) is simply that...the latest thing a contemporary human has to learn how to use.
And our kids will have to teach their kids one day how to use (and moderate personal use of) whatever the latest craze they have then.
As enjoyable as YouTube and similar streaming services are, they are pretty much still TVs, just with millions upon millions of different channels to chose from.
As I pointed out in another comment I think we need to be more nuanced...I agree that YouTube is mostly just like TV with infinite channels...luckily it’s not the only App though...just think of the fun kids can have with google search or Wikipedia.
Is an actual computer not an option?
Kill me.