They are lying and stealing from their parents to “scroll instagram”

And the parents feel entitled to the truth...why? Children are not property.

What specifically do you mean by 'stealing'?

From the original comment

> lied and deceived extensively to gain access to devices, and repeatedly sacrificed relationships and trust for more screen time

It’s not about truth, it’s about lying to gain access to devices. Lying to gain access is a type of theft therefore stealing.

I disagree with that analysis. It strikes me that a parent is denying a child access to something that the vast majority of other children have access to while that child is forced to live under a structure that prevents them from generating enough income to obtain their own device independently.

As that entire structure is illegitimate, the actions of the child are understandable.

Exactly. And what worries me is that they are essentially greasing the groove for these synapses, growing the neural network around deception and dishonesty. If they get into gambling in 5 years or so and happen to have a partner, they will already be somewhat adapted and practiced in hiding this activity quite effectively rather than seeking and accepting help. It's worrying. It's all foundational to very self-destructive habits from my perspective.

This is pseudo-intellectual nonsense - we are strangers to ourselves, we do not truly know how the mind works.