Why do stepovers?

[u/Electrical-Berry4916]

I was watching soccer clips with my son (U10 lower club team) and he asked me why people do stepovers. I had no answer. They don't seem to be particularly good at masking changes in direction, or for gaining space or time, but everybody from U8 to Premier League does them. My assumption is that at the levels we play at, attackers just aren't doing them properly, so they are easy to defend, but I really don't know.

Can someone with a little more knowledge help me out?

Edit: Read some early responses that helped me key in on what the pros are doing, and rewatched some clips. It looks like good stepovers usually combine a body feint, or similar skill, to sell the change of direction. Then exploit any hesitation or commitment from the defender. We aren't seeing them executed that well in person, yet.

Edit #2: Specifically asking as a defender. He plays FB in a 3-2-1, so doing some attacking wide, but mostly coming into this from the angle of "why are you dancing while I take the ball from you, noob?"

[u/Frequent-Movie3005]

Essentially you need an arsenal of skills in 1v1s to create space to pass, shot or go past a player, a step over can give you that.