"For an older person the only way to solve this would've been to perform the task manually." It's quite possible the purpose of the word search is to train the

"For an older person the only way to solve this would've been to perform the task manually." It's quite possible the purpose of the word search is to train the child on their own visual pattern recognition, not their problem solving. Solving manually and writing an OCR program are teaching to two very different skillsets. But more fundamental to my point is this: "There are more uses for smartphones than just Instagram and TikTok." Yes, but without administrative-level filters and lockdowns, social media and garbage are inseparable from the phone. The solution would be for the school to offer a standard issue mobile device with whitelisted resources for the purposes of teaching. Allowing students to have their personal, unrestricted phones out during class is to invite them to distract themselves from lessons and learning. It is to invite them to learn how not to focus on meatspace.