Would you swap your smartphone for a flip phone?

Very true. The wealth of knowledge available for research or matters of curiosity is incredible, and the ability to edit a doc or send a presentation from your pocket is in many cases a blessing. There just needs to be a balance.

Agreed SPC Carson S. . My concern comes from working with military kids who can't get a parent's attention because of their phone

Lt Col Charlie Brown - I used to commute 37 miles to work (actually I am doing that again but for my internship). I was in front of this woman who was on the phone in rush-hour traffic with her son - probably about 11 - sitting next to her. She was on the phone the entire time and we are stuck in traffic probably for about 45 minutes. I don’t think she said one word to him. As someone who couldn’t have children, I cannot tell you how steamed I was.

Good point. There are cases where the new smart technology is very useful, like bridging the distances between loved ones. If only more people used them for these purposes and didn't let the devices take them away from being present with the loved ones right in front of them (as MSgt Robert "Rock" Aldi pointed out above).