That's just the 2020s version of how Google and smartphones ruined the ages-old social pastime of arguing about trivia in a pub :P
Yeah it can definitely be a crutch too in some situations. I notice it with my kids where they’ll want to tell me about something but then seek a video or something to show it.
Sometimes I have to say “no! just use your words to describe it! I want to hear your description”
I think it's good of you to make them critically engage with the subject by verbalizing it themselves. Evidence suggests that video consumption is relatively un-engaging mentally, likely as it demands nothing of you.
Like as in your example, I would previously asked people "how would 911 handle an US Reservation Area", and watch how my friends think and reason. To me getting a conclusive answer was not a point. Now they just copy & paste Chat GPT, no fun haha.