Some of what I wrote the last time this topic came up (http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/get-rid-of-smart-phone):
I think that there are several different issues here.
The first one is having unfiltered internet, with full access to all the shmutz in the world. This is simply and unequivocally assur. The Gedolim and venerated Poskim of our generation (R’ Shteinman, R’ Vozner, R’ Chaim, R’ Nissin Karelitz, R’ Moshe Shternbuch, to name a few) have said so time and time again, and I have yet to hear a single dissenting opinion. (see: http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/285798/maran-harav-shteinman-iphone-users-are-pasul-leidus.html, http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/headlines-breaking-stories/207517/r-kanievsky-on-accepting-eidus-from-an-iphone-user.html )
Secondly, when it comes to something that is assur, saying “I need it for my business” simply will not change anything. Business is not an excuse for any issurim; be they chillul shabbos, dishonesty, or unfiltered internet. Assur is assur. Period.
Then there is a separate issue: Having a smartphone, with properly filtered internet, for business needs. While this may not be ideal, it is indeed often necessary in today’s world. And when it comes to ideals, not issurim, there is much more room to accommodate practical necessities.
(http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/get-rid-of-smart-phone/page/3#post-565151)
Several weeks ago, I was at a chasunah where the mesader kiddushin, a rosh yeshiva from Teaneck, asked the eidim if they have unfiltered internet on their phones, in their homes, or by their offices. One of them admitted that he did, and the Rosh Yeshiva did not allow him to be an eid – they had to get somebody else.
(http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/get-rid-of-smart-phone/page/3#post-565293)
Another note on the severity on the issue at hand: In his book “Teach Them Diligently”, R’ Berel Wein quotes R’ Yaakov Kamenetsky as telling him “Only for pornography and theft are you allowed to expel a student” (page 126).
(http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/get-rid-of-smart-phone/page/3#post-565667)
Barry:
“I’m curious if those opposing smartphones understand that it is nothing more than a computer?”
And do those opposing rifles understand that it is essentially the same as a BB gun? Or do they correctly realize that small technical differences can drastically change the inherent danger of an item?
While a smartphone has most of the same issues as a computer (viewing inappropriate content, wasting time, etc) the fact that it is always with its owner, and that it is far easier to use without anybody seeing what one is up to, make those issues far more potent.
(http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/get-rid-of-smart-phone#post-564438)
charliehall:
“If you can’t be trusted to avoid the porn and gambling sites, by all means donate your smartphone to a shelter for victims of abuse and stay off the internet.”
Tell me, do you think the issur of yichud is only for those who “can’t be trusted” to control themselves? Or do we see that Chazal realized (quite accurately, if I may say so) that this is an issue that everybody struggles with, and gedarim must be set in place for everyone? We cannot bury our heads in the sand – this s a very real issue that many, many frum people struggle with.
(http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/coffeeroom/topic/get-rid-of-smart-phone/page/2#post-564768)