Undermining education has political impacts. Civics and economic classes are not teaching effectively. If a high school junior or even a senior cannot explain the difference between a reduction in the inflation rate and lowering prices – we have a problem. I was taught economics in 10th grade – by a social studies teacher who used math. I was having to explain repeatedly to my junior in college the difference. The muddling of the media worked – he could not feel he was getting truthful complete information from anywhere so he didn’t vote. The fourth pillar of democracy ( the truthful free press) has been critically weakened.
In the 80’s, most students did not have a car, and unless in a metro area there was not massa transit. Mobile phones, the robust internet we have, online games were not a thing. Trust me sometimes I got desperate enough I actually watched 80s TV. Yes, boredom happens – esp after major tests and projects when you are sleep deprived from studying and brain melted.
but it could be a really big walnut