If anything, holding 'real' bitcoin should be the first goal for them before thinking of playing with ETF imo.
I agree.
ETF are very good for institutional investors, those that can't buy bitcoin directly due to regulations. For example, pension funds cannot buy a bitcoin a put in wallet because there are many laws which do not let them buy whatever they want, but they are able to buy an ETF.
For individuals, there is no reason to pay 2% of fees every year to the fund (which would consume about 18% of the total amount in 10 years). ALso, holding bitocin is much better for privacy, freedom and so on.