[selectively]

And the parents feel entitled to the truth...why? Children are not property.

What specifically do you mean by 'stealing'?

[sjducb]

From the original comment

> lied and deceived extensively to gain access to devices, and repeatedly sacrificed relationships and trust for more screen time

It’s not about truth, it’s about lying to gain access to devices. Lying to gain access is a type of theft therefore stealing.

[selectively]

I disagree with that analysis. It strikes me that a parent is denying a child access to something that the vast majority of other children have access to while that child is forced to live under a structure that prevents them from generating enough income to obtain their own device independently.

As that entire structure is illegitimate, the actions of the child are understandable.