I just posted something similar, about how the shaming needs to stop for social media usage. My reasons are that social media’s positive effects outweigh alarmist claptrap about addiction. You make good points, that phones are just that: devices for connection. In fact, being on your phone provides for that more than newspapers do, of course!

All the same, I admit I sometimes avoid pulling out my phone even if I need to, if an older person is nearby, because I KNOW they’re going to be a judgy-McJudgerson!