I agree there is a problem; but, how wildly condescending that is to say to someone.
Though I’d also say they’re doomed without better teacher compensation. Probably both.
“I would walk up to people and say ‘give me your money’ and they would clutch it, and I would say that’s what an alcoholic would do if you tried to take away their bottle.”
Does that sound stupid? Because it is. Their phone has the distinct quality of being theirs. Demanding someone turn over their possessions to you is not going to be met with acquiescence.
This is pure defiance of authority, they know that have no business playing with their phones during class but they also know they can get away with it.
Whether this attitude is caused by true addiction or general disrespect for teachers is left a an exercise to the reader. A combination most likely.