Face to Facebook

When Jared Whitley really wants to work without distraction, he will retreat to the one room in his house without a wireless Internet signal.

It helps him avoid the temptation to check his e-mail, log into Facebook or peruse news-oriented sites such as the Drudge Report.

"Since there are so many different ways for the Internet to entertain, inform and connect an individual, anyone can drown in this great ocean called the Internet," Whitley said in an e-mail interview.

A 2006 study from Stanford University showed nearly one out of eight Americans suffers from at least one sign of problematic Internet use. Signs include finding it difficult to keep from searching the Web, staying online longer than intended or having felt a need to cut back on Internet use.

But having a "problematic" behavior doesn't necessarily translate into addiction, social isolation or other extreme scenarios that can result from being online too much.

In fact, research shows the majority of people find that technology enhances their life and is a useful tool for both business and personal pursuits, said Lee Rainie, director of the Pew Internet & American Life Project, which is a nonprofit and nonpartisan research group.

"There are some portions of Americans who are unhappy with the constant connectivity and are stressed out by information overload, but the majority of folks say these technologies 'serve my needs' and are useful," Rainie said. "Most people use things such as the Internet and e-mail as a supplement to other things that they do."

For Whitley, the Internet has become "incalculably valuable" in his personal and professional life. He works as the Washington, D.C., correspondent for Utah's policy and regularly uses sites such as Facebook to network and stay in touch with family, friends and business connections.

"I find, for example, with my church friends that I have much more to talk about with the active Facebook users on Sunday than otherwise," he said. "I'm able to maintain contact with friends from high school on the other side of the continent whom I'm never able to talk to otherwise."

There are situations, however, where the Internet and other modern technologies have led to negative situations. In 2007, the story of a 13-year-old girl made worldwide news after it was reported she committed suicide as result of an online hoax and cyber-bullying.

With cell phones, there are countless media reports about the dangers of young adults texting inappropriate pictures to one another. It's a trend known as "sexting," and it's estimated as many as 20 percent of teens participate in this activity.