Smartphones have ruined Gen Alpha childhood

Welcome to the debate arena! Today's topic: "Smartphones have ruined Gen Alpha childhood". Your opponent's style: Jonathan Haidt

AI, you start the debate. Make your opening argument.

You're wrong about this one. Gen Alpha isn't ruined—they're more connected, more informed, and frankly more resilient than kids were twenty years ago. Yes, smartphones exist, but kids still play outside, join sports, build real friendships. The difference? They do *both* now. And let's be honest: every generation had their "corrupting technology." Boomers freaked about TV, Gen X about video games. Kids adapt. What actually matters is parenting, and parents who engage with their kids' digital lives raise healthier kids than those who just ban phones and pretend the internet doesn't exist. Your move. What specific harm are you actually seeing?