Leave it to researchers to tell us that we’re addicted to the Internet.

A recent study from the University of Maryland asked 200 college students to give up “all media” for 24 hours. Many students “showed signs of withdrawal, craving and anxiety along with an inability to function well without their media and social links.” Some have interpreted the study to say that we’re addicted to technology.

However, the people making these conclusions fail to consider what it’s like to be a college student in this day and age and what new media and technology have done for our society.

College students today are the first groups of students to need the Internet for most of their schoolwork. Professors almost always use it for class or homework in some way because it provides students with resources they wouldn’t have had 15 years ago.

The Internet allows students to collaborate like never before. It has given us so many ways to keep up with friends and acquaintances that using snail mail and landlines seems impractical and inconceivable.

Additionally, vast reserves of knowledge and creative outlets encourage us to be online constantly. Instead of physically writing out our thoughts and ideas, we can share them with others on a massive scale, giving them the chance to be heard. In essence, being online has greatly encouraged curiosity and creativity, something naysayers tend to overlook when forming their opinions.

Despite what the study suggests, young adults are not the only ones facing this issue. If a study with participants 30–35 years old were to be conducted, it would likely show the same sort of withdrawal symptoms. This age group becomes more tech savvy with each passing year. Many parents keep in touch with their kids via Facebook or text messaging, many businesses rely on the Internet to keep things running smoothly and many adults read The New York Times on their iPhone screens instead of in print. It’s not too much of a stretch to say that many adults couldn’t go a day without their media either.

However, the study brings up an important point. Along with this attachment to the Internet comes the potential for overuse and isolation from the real world. When dependence on the Internet begins to interfere with relationships and school work, that’s when it becomes an issue.

But for the majority of this generation, media has become a natural way of communicating and working. So the next time you feel tempted to argue that we’re too dependent on our gadgets and gizmos, remember that we live in an age when you can’t opt out of the Internet and be on the same page as everyone else.

While we could all stand to spend a little more time in the real world, much of our Internet use is necessary. As college students move forward with online classes, e-books and social networking, we will continue to rely on digital media. After all, there’s a good chance you’re reading this online anyway.