I sometimes think that my generation was the top for a while. I grew up around computers, but besides playing, I had to learn how to configure them. LAN networks, IP address, DNS, torrents (trying to not catch a virus!), WinAmp and all those other crappy players that need you to detail the files, oh, and of course cracking games! It was a lot of games, but also a lot of skill acquired. I saw a meme the other day that millennials are the generation that solves computer problems for both the previous and the following generation.
On the other hand, we still had to learn so much hands-on stuff. Building forts in the woods, repairing our soft guns, patching bike tubes & repairing the chains. I had to help (and did so gladly as it was kind of fun) renovating the lower floor of my grandmas house so my dad and I could move in.
With the world becoming seemingly more dangerous and at the same time full of distractions, many parents retract from their responsibilities. Instead of paying attention and make sure the kid gets the experience without hurting itself, they prefer not to allow the experience at all. Instead of paying attention to the child, they have so many other things to do (or prefer them), and hand over a cellphone or tablet to shut it up - like the TV back in the days.
These days you see children as young as 2yrs old having a tablet, and one wonders what they need it for ??
Worst is the fact that the society is normalising it.. parents no more see the need of that early childhood formation that gives these children problem solving mindset.
Later that same child grows up to meet a harsh society where skills are really valued and they can't thrive in it.
That same child grows up to be depressed and socially awkward.. and that is how the society keeps deteriorating because if the child eventually becomes a parent, that pass on the cycle and it continues.
And younger. It makes me sick to go to a restaurant or café and see babies staring at screens.
I used to spend a lot of time around Warez sites :)
I am Gen-X, so there was a lot of hands on stuff, and the computers really only came a bit later. Though when they did come, they were far more manual, and required learning, as none of it was intuitive. It makes a difference to have everything handed over in a nice neat little package with a clean interface - or having to work it out by brute force.
The difference between the screen today and the TV, was there was very little interesting on TV back in the day. Now, the screen has 24/7 streaming anything and everything. It is an endless cycle, still driven by the fear of Missing out on something important, even though people are generally not consuming anything of consequence at all.
Just looked it up, I'm gen X, too, in the later part though. So, it's Gen X that's explaining computers to everyone :-D
And yes, you're absolutely right, the business that is made with absorbing attention has evolved impressively, leaving almost no chance for the brain to stop scrolling or watching. Even worse for a child, which generally lack even more of impulse control than adults. Though, it's decreasing in adults, too.
Add on top the effect of short-form content, and the effect is profound.
A brave new world :-(