I wrote the article. I am 19. Trust me I really love to do things like these which have chances to promote a good behavior. For the same reasons, I am off of Instagram for a year now (believe it or not, I think this would be really difficult for the current generation).

Sounds like we got the gender right but I am the older gentleman in this case.

I completely agree with you about social media doing more harm than good. Keep up the good habits young man.

That said I also believe having a phone with you at all times is a good thing for emergency use or crushing on the candies

Yes, that's true as well. Thank you, sir!

My wife has, off and on for decades, called me and said she was waking somewhere she didn't feel safe or was being watched and wanted to be on the phone. All you said sounded familiar. However, the "phone for safety" trope is a sad thing.