As a fervent language learner myself, linguistic enthusiast, and expat, I can tell you that's not necessarily true. Apps like duolingo and whatnot are obviously garbage and not useful to learn, and so their trying to advertise the process as fun is one thing. But it is possible to learn a language in less than 5 years, at least to be communicative in that language, and it is possible to have fun doing it.

That being said I agree with your third point haha.