I agree that these electronic devices are actually damaging to children. They reduce creativity and imagination - to say the least.

Even educational programs like "Baby Einstein," that are supposed to increase intelligence in children, actually have no effect on intelligence. Research on these programs suggest that they have no effect whatsoever on a child's intelligence in life. I think that the technology mostly just create consumers - as you suggested, and probably adds to issues like ADHD.

Environment (the type of home that a child grows up in) does play a significant role though - again as you mentioned.