most parents are just looking for an excuse so they can keep doing what they are doing, and hide behind the cracked facade of it being in their children's best interest.

I would blame Covid partially, because, Covid gave phones / tablets in kid's hand, and it's impossible to take it back completely. However, we must control the usage, not leaving them being addict. Some kids understand and obey, some others show resistance, but then as you said, at the end the parents should know how to make things right.