Book excerpt: This comprehensive overview of digital media technologies and their impact on society is a user-friendly introduction for students trying to understand how technology is shaping the world around them. The Digital Age is already upon us and society is feeling its impact. Media and Society in the Digital Age explores both the positive and negative implications of living in a rapidly changing communications environment. This text not only helps lay the foundation for understanding the emerging and constantly changing digital media environment, it also provides readers with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their future academic, personal, and professional lives.