I'd say that "screen time" is just a convenient categorization since, for the most part, kids are so drawn to addictive and arguably low-value content that once those things are off, there is no interest in the screen. I've given unlimited time to my kids for more learning-centric stuff, but they hardly use it.
I can tell you if my kids were coding, making music, reading, or otherwise engaged in something more productive with their screens, I'd absolutely whitelist those apps for much more time. But it is, sadly, more YT Kids shit, Roblox nonsense, etc.
> I'd absolutely whitelist those apps for much more time.
I think this is a much better approach than blanket screen time restrictions.
By the way, I got into programming when I was about 10 because an informatics teacher at school showed me how to do it and encouraged her students to compete in school programming competitions. I think it's very difficult for kids to engage with learning-centric stuff on their own, so an incentive (even a very basic one) helps a lot.
I can tell you if my kids were coding, making music, reading, or otherwise engaged in something more productive with their screens, I'd absolutely whitelist those apps for much more time. But it is, sadly, more YT Kids shit, Roblox nonsense, etc.