Thanks a bunch! 
I'm squandering away my Saturday watching the live action cam at St. Johns.
At any given time, I'm seeing several people digging through their smart phones, but not as many as I'd suspect. Most places I go to have a lot more people zombified on their phones. Ultimately though, I find myself needing to squash those thoughts, as it is more a reflection on my own judgmental self than them.
I think you are looking at the wrong bar. Try this one also in St. John-
Any cellular device would be in harms way and soaked in short order. I bet the people here are doing much better simply because of this.
I think you've hit the nail on the head with social media/phones/etc. I believe there needs to be a new subject in school right next to reading/writing/math- and that is Internet/Social Media/Connected information studies. This would focus on the new world of the net, and effective ways to sort through it, both in sifting through to pertinent info, as well as how to treat others, etc.
Sure, the net is monetized, and people push agendas on each other. At least teach the next generation of users what they are getting into.