Every day, before I get up and make my way out of bed, I check my cell phone.

I look at my text messages to make sure no one tried to make contact with me during my sleep. I check Facebook to read about others who are away from me, either at home or away at different universities. Then, before I make my way to the showers, I check Twitter and Yik Yak to add a little humor to my morning.

I have never truly felt controlled by technology. Of course, life would become more difficult if I had to immediately give up my cell phone. However, in time I feel like I would learn to adapt to the inconvenience.

If people buy a new television and a satellite dish, they fear that they will not be able to back away from the highly defined screen and the thousands of channels. If someone buys a new cell phone, they fear that they will spend too much time browsing through the internet, the various apps that you can download, and constantly contacting various friends and family members. If people buy a new computer, they worry that they will spend countless hour on the internet reading ridiculous Buzzfeed articles and Tumblr, or watching season after season of their favorite shows on Netflix.

Why do we fear that we will immediately fall into an addiction with a television, phone or computer? The truth is, we have the ability to control our alleged addictions.

Think about why you use a television. Primarily to keep up with current events, using news channels or sports networks like CNN or ESPN, respectively. On top of that, you use it for entertainment, to unwind and watch a few episodes of whatever program is enjoyable. If everyone knew how to properly use a television for their own good, and control the impulse to watch for hours, it would diminish the addictions that come.

This means that it is ok to watch the news or a baseball game in order to keep up with the current events that surround us. Additionally, in times of boredom, or, if you just need to unwind, it is fine to sit back and watch a few hours of your favorite television program to entertain yourself for a few hours.

So, adopt this lesson to all of your technological means that constantly surround you. Use your television to watch the news, use cell phones to keep in contact with your friends and family, and use your laptop for research and work.

And sometimes, it’s ok to use these things to have a little fun.