Completely agree, and it's sad that people put their machines over relationships with other people / coworkers / focusing on those relationships.
Of course in the past there were less opportunities to hide or excuse that kind of behavior.
You're underestimating the impact, in my opinion.
Almost EVERYONE puts their devices over relationships.
Not as bad, but even when the relationship gets priority, it can be mediated by the device. E.g., texting close family members. It's another chance to be a victim of attention-stealing because you start the device session for a good reason.
And all they needed were convenient excuses and opportunities to indulge in that behavior.
i.e. it could genuinely be their true self, unattractive as it may be.
There’s nothing after “take” from what I can see.