When I was a kid in the 90s, it was all about how video games and TV would ruin the new generation. Now, it’s smartphones and YouTube. Somehow I think the next generation will be fine.
Maybe it's that TV was manipulative (advertisements), but those manipulations were limited and not very effective. Video games were an honest transaction, you pay $60 and you get a game, and our focus has been on making the best game we can, we hope you enjoy the game.
Now, social media is much more manipulative and addicting, and video games are more likely to be designed around manipulation and micro-transactions rather than simply being a good game.
Tiktok and similar apps are completely different.
It's not going to corrupt the youth, but the kids deserve better.