I understand what you are saying and do agree with you about districts using them as a replacement for textbooks. Nor should they be provided by the schools.
Where I disagree with you is what I perceive as a broadbrush condemnation that all kids see them only as toys/entertainment. Today’s kids have been exposed to them in a learning environment for nearly as long as they’ve been in school, even when they don’t have access in the home.
Well, I have taught school as well as being a technical trainer and have seen what is coming out of public indoctrination. It’s not good.
As a technical trainer, we had to turn off Internet access in the classroom to keep our customers’ (students) minds in the classroom and not surfing. Even with that, they would get on the computers in the classroom and play solitaire. So, I think I know a little whereof I speak.
This is a bad trend that defocuses on learning and gives the kids a toy to play with. I’ve seen it before and had to deal with it.