Be careful with comparing real-life things and experiences with a (virtual) number on a screen, especially for children. I used to know an adult who only cared about that number going up, despite making more than a comfortable amount of money. Live with parents, save on rent/mortgage, number goes up faster. Buy cheapest food, take leftovers from work-catered lunches, number goes up faster. Scam your way into being hi…
This feels like a severe anecdotal example which I'm not sure applies to most people.
And to be fair, investing does not apply to most people either.