We Are Not Addicted To Media, Rather It Is A Habit That Can Be Controlled Through Correct Usage

According to Medical News Today (http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/), a habit is done by choice and can be stopped successfully if a person chooses to. On the other hand, an addiction is when a person does not have control over what they are doing. They become dependent on their addiction through their daily lives. Specifically focusing on media, I believe it is a habit rather than an addiction. The media allows everyone to receive information instantaneously making tasks more convenient. With this, however, comes social networking sites where people feel as though they must post a status, tweet, or blog about everything that occurs in their day from what they ate to responses of articles. The media is a tool and can be used incorrectly, making it resemble an addiction. But, if used correctly the media is merely a habit where we have a choice to use it constantly or rarely. Our generation may make it seem like we are using it incorrectly because we are always downloading the newest application or upcoming social networking site, but we choose to stay connected to the world through media.

I am one of those people that may make media look like an addiction to older generations or outside viewers that helps continue this spiraling debate of media addiction. Even though I am constantly on my cell phone going through the laundry list of social networking sites on my phone and laptop, I can still put it all away if need be. If I am having a serious conversation, I will put my phone away. If I am in class, I will focus on taking notes on my laptop. Using laptops in class is more helpful because it gives us instant information that we can use to generate more conversations in the classroom. Whether it provides statistics for a debate or more evidence to conclude a thought. I do not think there needs to be any rules governing how we use our technology. It is a choice and if someone would rather be on Facebook during class than taking notes, it is their grade that will be affected. Using media is a choice, not an uncontrollable addiction.

Some people who still believe the media is an addiction are probably critics in older generations. We grew up with technology and it has been with us since birth, therefore, it is embedded in our culture and we use it to its advantage. Basing an addiction off of watching people constantly on their cell phones and bumping in to others as they walk should not be viewed as an addiction. Maybe they had something really important to look up or they had an assignment to turn in electronically. How often we use media throughout the day is a choice, and only we can decide for ourselves if we will continue to use it correctly.