[Elvie]

We have a rule of no phones at the table. Unless it is for a purpose - while in the middle of conversation if there is a question we can't answer we will check the phone. ("what does a giraffe sound like?" "what does the gallbladder do?")

Otherwise, yes I will use my phone while the children are in the park in the sandpit or playing around. If I was helicoptering over them all the time, they wouldn't explore the climbing frames alone - and i do keep an eye in case they fall but want them to have the confidence to do it alone

and they see how the phone can be useful - want an expensive toy in the shop? let's check the phone and see if we can find it cheaper... - are we lost? let's learn to use a map... - how do you say x or y in a foreign language?

so, let's stop the mum (mom) guilt...

[phyllostachys]

That sounds like reasonable phone use to me whereas the article seems to hint at using a phone instead of engaging.