What’s the impact of smartphones on our social skills?

I'm not a boomer, I'm an early version of Gen-X, which means I don't GAF about what boomers or millennials say. I see and hear millennial women complain about men the way I had never heard before. Fellas, y'all ain't got no game! Plain and simple. Put down the phone or the controller and TALK to a woman. Y'all might find yourselves not being incels anymore.

Yes, there's a difference. It seems that people don't know how to respond when there is face to face conversation. Especially if there is a negative response. It's taken so personally now that it's really weird.

I like to keep a mix between online and irl interactions. Mostly using digital forms of communication to construct meet ups or for gaming. Not necessarily replacing physical interaction but serving as a tool when apart.

Actually, I'm an early millennial, just two years after Gen X, and I've lived through some amazing transitions, not only in technology. Our first TV was a black-and-white set, and we only had a landline; then the internet came along, CDs came and went, mobile phones turned into smartphones, and so on. Now we're about to witness another transition to AI-based information gathering and processing. It's super interesting. But when I do a 2-3 day technology detox with a book and my wife, wine, food, and just talking about stuff, I feel the happiest.

As a last-of-the-Gen-Xer's, I can say that I try to keep the digital social skills and the real-life social skills in balance. Both have their place. Both have their strengths. Both have their weaknesses. Knowing when and where to use each is a bit of an art. There is a lot more science available on that subject these days, as well, but I prefer to stick with the "art" for now...

Well it does allow us to 'zone out.' That's not a good thing in terms of developing social skills.

You raise a fascinating point. The way we communicate has undeniably evolved with the rise of digital platforms.