The same thing was said around corporal punishment in the past. We have learned that there are more effective, less damaging methods of teaching than yelling, and isolation. I have two kids, I have used physical force when they were too young to understand words (smack on the bottom while in diapers etc). I have raised my voice, I have grounded them from electronics etc. I am doing the best I can with the information I have at my disposal. When they ask questions, they get answers.
At any time I know my children could report me or my spouse to government agents, who would come investigate, review and if I was in the wrong, I would be corrected. But if I was not in the wrong, life would continue. The stigma that comes along with it? Thats the cost of having children really.
If the pre-teens you are dealing with dont understand what abuse is, that sounds like an opportunity for education, not justification.
Absolutely, they should have grouped all online social media together. It is strange that they separated mobile phones and smartphones, but I can see the distinction. Communication vs distraction really.