I was just thinking the same. I live 10 minutes away from the coast and have just enjoyed a few hours sat by the beach where most people were sunbathing, paddle boarding, taking a dip, etc. I didn't notice anyone gazing at their smartphone.
As a kid I lived inland and a casual trip to the beach just wasn't an option. I look back and remember a lot of boring Sundays where the option of staring at a phone screen all day would have been a luxury.
I’ve literally just now got back from having a dip in the sea, and was laughing to myself at the guy standing in the surf looking at his phone. Beautiful evening, stunning weather, and his dog standing there looking bored waiting for him to throw his ball, and he’s on his phone…
My experience is very different to yours - I’d say as I walked across the beach yesterday when I was really paying attention, maybe 20-30% of the people I passed were looking at a screen.
As a kid I lived inland and a casual trip to the beach just wasn't an option. I look back and remember a lot of boring Sundays where the option of staring at a phone screen all day would have been a luxury.