I would counter-counter argue that using a smartphone is much more of a social experience than TV, and can be less interruptive as well. Much of the time when

I would counter-counter argue that using a smartphone is much more of a social experience than TV, and can be less interruptive as well. Much of the time when people are using their phones they are socializing asynchronously or synchronously with their friends and family. They are following what's happening in their lives through twitter, facebook, instagram, etc. They are keeping in touch through instant messaging (on facebook, through google hangouts, texting, what-have-you). They are keeping up with current news and events. They are keeping themselves informed, etc. And in terms of the presence of media in the physical space sometimes watching TV with others can be a social experience, but it can also be an anti-social experience by draining attention away from conversations and by having something of interest going on that can't easily be interrupted or paused to do something else. Whereas smartphone use can more often be interrupted or paused. My own anecdotal experience is that television is much worse of an attention hog than smartphones, on average.