אדרבה
Someone told me this solves the עיגונא problem as all the עדי קידושין ונישואין are no longer valid.
yup, an amazing unintended kula.
And it's precisely b/c I doubt that any Rav would use this as an allowance to free an aguna, it's unlikely this is meant as an actual psak, rather it's an exhortation to not have unlimited internet access.
Writing as someone living in Israel, who does not own a smart phone:
I do believe that the quote is accurate in substance, if not in presentation.
An important distinction must be drawn between Eretz Yisrael and chutz laaretz. In E"Y all leading chareidi rabbonim endorse an across the board ban on smartphones. Someone who owns one is defying a ban held of by all leading chareidi rabbonim.
Elsewhere, all rabbonim agree that an awareness of the pitfalls and precautions against them are necessary for anyone wishing to be religiously responsible. I am unaware of any rabbonim in chutz laaretz who prohibit owning a smartphone. I am certain that Rav Shteinman did not have smartphone owners outside of E"Y in mind.
Further, even in eretz yisrael, "exemptions" from the ban are available in various forms with an endorsment from ones Rav. I also am certain that Rav Shteinman did not have these people in mind.
There is much to be expounded upon this.
What I don't understand is why unfettered internet access should be treated differently in the US vs. Israel. You can access the same websites from both locations.
It's likely b/c the Rabbonim in the US understand that the horse has already escaped the barn, and that mentioning s/t like this would have no impact, and would simply cause more divisions in Clal Yisrael.
In Israel, things are different. For better and for worse...
