When most people think of addiction, the words that come to mind include alcohol, drugs or gambling. But a different vice is deeply affecting teenagers everywhere: technology. Anywhere you step on campus, you may notice someone texting, taking pictures or maybe talking on their cell phone. So the question is, how do you know when enough is enough?   

In fact, in a small online survey, 76.2 percent of Las Lomas students said that they know they have the option not to log onto Facebook, but they choose to check the Web site every day anyway.

Also, 47.6 percent of students spend two to four hours on average browsing the Internet each day, and more than half said their use of technology tends to have a higher priority than their schoolwork.

Sophomore Spencer Head explains his thoughts: “In my opinion, what makes Facebook so addicting to teenagers is that we always want to talk to or be with our friends ... and Facebook is basically a way to always keep in contact.”

Las Lomas psychologist Anneliese Pearce has a strong opinion about teenagers’ need for technology.    

“Technology addiction serves the same purpose as any other addiction. It is just as bad as drugs and alcohol, and the more access you have to technology, the more you want to access it, and eventually you can’t resist checking your Facebook or your phone for texts.”    

Interestingly, Pearce has noticed a change of interaction between students because of technology:       

“When I was in school, the only way to talk to each other was either face-to-face or over the phone. Now kids are forced to interact in school, but once outside of school, their only interaction with other people, whether it be to ask a question about homework or to make plans, is only over Facebook or texts.”      

Acalanes Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction John Nickerson believes technology use could benefit students.  

“I think we are in a new socio-cultural era in which technology use for learning, productivity, communication and social networking is paramount.  It is essential that our students develop a sophisticated level of use as well as responsible behavior with the technology.”

Although Nickerson is a fan of the new uses of technology, he does believe that students could be taking better advantage of it.  

“ I think some students are distracted by the appeal of the games and potentially constant interaction and exchange of information that technology allows. We hear about students who are texting or on Facebook all night long or gaming endlessly when at home,” said Nickerson. “At best, these students might be multitasking and not engaging in school work at an adequate level.  In the worst case, these students can encounter health problems or academic stagnation or failure.”

Addiction to alcohol and drugs isn’t the only danger facing teenagers today form – they can develop enslaving habits by using their phones or computers.