I use it as a tool too. I haven't used Facebook in years. Just X.com for info on cryptocurrencies.
You're right, we've gone from passively watching TV to passively using our phones, with the difference that we always have our phones with us.
Was there a plan behind all this? I don't know, but a mass of people glued to their phones all day are more easily manipulated, have less interest in politics, in short, they're the perfect voter.