Actually no they didn’t. There was always a benefit that outweighed the bad and there was always an option to use them or not.. But we reached that line and threshold many years ago now. Now the bad far far outweighs the good and there is very little choice but to be sucked into it. The masses are pulling everyone into it against their will.
Try to find a phone booth...
Listen, we agree about the effect. But not everyone is drawn in -- I have spent my business life in tech, I carry an iPhone, but trust me, I'm not drawn in.
It's mostly the young people who are getting their brains turned into mush. Not all, but mostly.
Something good has already happened with this tech. I think it is great if a person has some degree of self-control and can use it productively. After all, maybe it's self-control that's the issue -- not the phone. Look at all the obese in our society. Is it the food or the person?