The biggest different between new media and old media lies in the fact that new media is linked to technology. Old media items come in the form of books, newspapers, face to face interaction, letters, and mail, etc. There's usually only one party who provides information and everyone else more or less just accepts it. There are a limited amount of people who take part in information sharing and such. New media on the other hand uses technology to reach the masses. There are little to no geographic limitations in new media; people are able to connect for personal or business purposes without having to be face to face or in the same vicinity. People collaborate in sharing and editing information and sharing experiences. People are able to share photos, news, and trends within a day. And, people can use new media to meet new people and discover new things that would normally not be possible had these new doorways been open. To distinguish between old and new media, you should see if the information, item, activity, etc. is linked to technology in any way. And also see if it is accessible by anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Does it also permit user input including modification or suggestions? These are the typical aspects of new media that old media tends to lack.