You realize this is completely subjective right? Perhaps if your interests were completely aligned with the mainstream then that past was preferable, but today anyone can “zap channels” about any niche they are interested in.
Media isn't just shows and news, kids have access to an ever-expanding pool of pornographic garbage, more damaging than even the most hardcore magazines / dvds of the 80s and 90s.
We also play GTA but somehow manage to drive cars without running over prostitutes.
You can let a kid pick up a videogame and let him shoot people in the head all day with probably no major effect on his psyche. What if you showed that same kid a video of someone having their head blown off?
There's literally a reason why there are laws against children seeing pornography, and to say it has no effect on the development of the brain is ridiculous.