Dear Avram,
I’m having a hard time getting my point across. I know former alcoholics who moved on to a new job in a new field who are excelling at what they do. I know three people who kicked their drug habit and became solid full time learners. I know a few kids who gave up their phones and now spend their days looking for drugs, alcohol, or trouble. . But that is not really my point.
I have come across a whole bunch of people who think it is terribly important for me to get rid of my smartphone without knowing what I do with my time. When I confront them with what do they do all day, their answer boils down to not having a smartphone. They will openly say, a yeshiva bachur who barely learns but doesn’t have a phone, is better than a serious masmid that has the internet in his pocket.
My point is that the anti smartphone movement is misguided.