We are not physically addicted to media, but dependent on it because of how prevalent it has become in our lives

As discussed in the article, I think we are dependent on digital media, but not addicted. According to Medical News Today, addiction has a psychological/physical component where the person is unable to control the aspects of the addiction without help due to mental or physical conditions. As discussed in the Diamondback article, we are dependent on information. We have become so used to constantly being updated on news, text messages, and emails that it becomes second nature to check digital media frequently. However, I don't think this is an addiction because for the average person, there is no psychological or physical component where we can't go without media unless we get help. Like Andrew who didn't miss his phone while he was in Mexico, most people can go without media while they are actually doing something entertaining. It becomes something that we constantly check when we are bored and there is nothing else to do. 

I definitely will admit to using digital media very frequently. I always have my phone on me and check it frequently throughout the day. I bring my laptop to classes that allow it, and would be lying if I said that I didn't use it for purposes other than just taking notes during class. I definitely will stop to check social media, shop online, etc depending on what class I am in, what material we are going over, and the pace of the class. While digital media can be highly distracting, I don't think there should be rules at home or school governing technology. We are all responsible adults who can make decisions regarding our digital media usage. If we decide to use technology in class to browse the internet instead of take notes, that is our own fault.  

I think being able to use laptops and smartphones is helpful in class. For me personally, I can't handwrite notes fast enough to keep up with how quickly professors go through their power points. Being able to type my lecture notes allows me to take notes while still being able to pay attention to what is being discussed, as opposed to being focused on copying everything down. However, they are also incredibly distracting at the same time. It is very easy to switch from taking notes one second to checking Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc the next second. This not only distracts the student doing those things, but also the students around them as they see them looking at different things on their device. 

http://www.diamondbackonline.com/news/campus/article_0527403c-20e8-11e3-862d-0019bb30f31a.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/info/addiction/