I agree with you for the most part, though I think where we might differ would be about here . . .

Granted, the apps have been purposely designed to exploit weaknesses in the human condition, as we've seen exposed in various articles over the last year or so. But those problems are still the person's. And with education, awareness, and discipline they can be overcome.

One of the things I think we sell short is, just how incredibly well designed some of the websites and programs are designed to keep us hooked on them. Facebook, World of Warcraft, Reddit, just to name a few. Like bars and casinos, retail outlets, etc., these places design themselves to benefit from the vulnerabilities we have in our way of thinking and reinforce behavior that benefits these types of business, even if these same behaviors are detrimental to us as individuals.. Some people are more resistant than others, just like not everyone will have problems with substance abuse in their lives, but for those that do it's a very real problem.

While I think discipline is great, education is great, moderation is great, we need to recognize two things. One, for some people, abstinence is the easiest route and that that's an okay decision for them to make. If they think the benefits of total abstinence outweighs the benefits of using a device or service, that's their choice. Besides, they might be right. By not having to worry about a problem at all, they free themselves to focus on more important things in life, such as jobs and families and personal growth.

More importantly though, at least in America, there is an underlying social thread of characterizing people who suffer from problems of addiction, whether it's substance addiction, gambling addiction, what have you, as being due to moral and spiritual failings. This creates a stigmatization where people become reluctant to admit they have a problem, public discourse about these types of problems are unfairly tilted, etc., and as a result, creates personal and social barriers that potentially prevent people from addressing and resolving the problems they face.

While I'm not trying to say that Internet or Smartphone Addiction is anywhere near as severe as something like Opioid addiction, I still think it's important to discuss the issue and how it affects people in a balanced way.