[askafriend]

Your comment is incredibly short sighted and is on par with saying "Having a computer is not required to function in the world, at best it is pointless....".

For many people in the world, the smartphone is their only computer. For many people in the world, a smartphone is an invaluable tool that has been a driver of positive change. For many people in the world, a smartphone is required for them to make a living and put food on their family's table.

Having a smartphone is on par with having access to the internet to economic success in many societies.

Like the internet, yes the smartphone has a multitude of downsides that are well documented. But to throw the baby out with the bathwater and make sweeping statements like the one you've made is just wrong.