"No value" is of course not the same as "net positive benefit".

Takes drones for example. I've been woken by them at 7am on campsites. I've been quietly reading a book at the beach only to be disrupted by some instagram addict with a drone. Peaceful walks in the mountains have been disrupted. As far as I'm concerned, they're a net-negative. They're excessively loud, annoying, and as far as I'm concerned they're net-negative.

You're other examples are more complex, but my point is mainly: "provides value" is not identical to "net positive benefit".

"The iPhone"

Well meme'd, good sir

Online tax prep isn't a net positive at all. It's a solution to a problem that doesn't need to exist. In normal countries, the government already knows your income and other such info, and fills out your taxes for you; you just have to verify and sign, unless there's a problem.

Messaging apps are a bit similar: SMS is so horrible that proprietary apps were made as a better alternative, but it's all Balkanized and incompatible. Still, they fill a need, since communication is important and something people should do (tax prep is not: most people shouldn't be doing it at all).

I agree that the parent is being overly pessimistic, but on balance I’m. It sure that your list represents a net positive. The iPhone especially. The world would have been far better off without smartphones.

The smartphone is the worst invention in the history of the world. Worse than nuclear weapons, worse than corona virus, worse than leaded gasoline. It is an enslavement device, a tracking device, a spying device.

[EDIT] Messaging "apps" used to be neutral but now are trending negative due to being controlled by spy companies.

Taxation is theft so making it easier doesn't sound like a good thing.

Spotify is a service designed to remove your property rights under guise of giving you access to a large catalogue.

Dropbox is a government surveillance service. Upload your files so the government can scan them.

Drones are govt surveillance devices.

3d printing is neutral.

Taxation is theft? Really? I presume your taxes don't pay for anything you use on a regular basis in your country if you're saying thay right?

Nope. Roads? Government won't let me drive without more taxes. Healthcare? Haven't seen a doctor in a decade, not that it is "free" here anyway. Electricity, gas, water: paid for by me with duties and levies and tax on top. Firefighters? Have never once called for their services but I would pay them when needed. Police? They're the ones who enforce the stealing. Plus they get special privileges the rest of us don't.