I don't understand the dismissive responses. I would say yes, to an extent. Smartphones are isolating by design. Nothing wrong with that in small amounts, but since they are a constant part of our lives now, they do lessen face to face talks significantly. I'd assume this is obvious and common knowledge, but apparently not? Especially with kids who've never "learned to socialize normally," aka socialize without using smartphones/internet aka the way we humans did it for tens of thousands of years until the last decade or so. Which leads to isolation + depression + short attention span etc etc.
I know a teacher and he says the same. Kids even in recess don't communicate face to face where he teaches.. not even when they are next to each other. They just whip out smart phones. Then there is the lessened physical activity, no playing outside, worse air, no rest for the mind, all sorts of stuff that isn't even mentioned!
So how come so many of you handwave this away? Also, no this isn't the same as TV or Laptops. You saw people whip out TV's or laptops constantly before, everywhere? Obviously not, (not to nearly the same extent before some nitpicker responds) that is the entire point of a smart phone, the ease of carrying a computer anywhere you want.
