You can look at it 2 ways.
1.The person who really never did make the effort to contact family, now will with text or calls.
The cell phone gives a safe distance, that it is all they wish to have.
2.The cell phone is used more now, than when they did put the effort in to a visit.
It depends on the person, and their relationship with their cell phone.
I can not believe I just said that last line....but it is true!
People have a bond with their cell phones....Some may love theirs, some indifferent(a means to a end).
Eighter way, it really all comes down to a 'need' to let the cell phone do what they use to do....or in some cases didn't do.