The 'everyone plays equal time' rule is destroying competitive development

Hot take: mandatory equal playing time at U12+ is actively harming player development. I understand the intent — inclusion, fun, no kid left out. But when a coach is forced to play a disengaged player the same minutes as a kid who trains 5 days a week, you're sending the wrong message to both players. Development requires honest feedback, and playing time is the most honest feedback there is. At what age should merit start to matter?