It's an option if you want to get harassed by Child Protection Services, the police, etc.

All it takes is one asshole (Or good Samaritan) to give the latter a call, and you'll have a lot of explaining to do. And heaven help you if either group finds a joint in your home.

Some examples of that making the news every now and then.

Nobody's gonna call Child Protection Services on you when the kids are at home with the iPad.

No. Many parents are literally paranoid about their kids being harmed, even though many areas have an all-time low of crime in human history. Not to mention, police picking up children who are playing alone and parents getting into trouble for being "irresponsible". It is f'ed up. Many kids just end up choosing the computer because parents make it easier to access than outside playgrounds and it's just as interesting.

It's even weirder since we can give them phones, or watches with integrated phones and gps-trackers and what not.

When I was 12 I yelled a friends name while walking out the door, and was expected to be back by dinner. If I wasn't the best thing my parents could do was to call my friends parents (homes) and ask if I was there.