[senoroink]

> Using the word "addict" is a cop out to take away personal responsibility.

It's not a cop out. It's a fact. Social media can fit the exact definition of "addiction" for some people. Personal responsibility is present if you're abusing a drug or social media.

From your comments, it appears you aren't affected. Great. Similar to how you probably can't relate to a heroin addict means you can't relate to a social media addict.

[sebringj]

Well the part that doesn't sit well with me is the suggestion of addiction in such a light flippant way. It should not be used for the general population just as a drug addiction isn't. We can empathize with true addicts but labeling the general population as such takes away personal responsibility in that people are not in control of their own behavior. That is the key difference in the point I'm making and the author. To prove my point, do you notice how quickly backlash came about to blame Facebook? People started leaving it and not using it. A true addict could not stop cold turkey so we mostly all have the ability to stop something when we do not have true addiction disorders.