Let's take a personal inventory. Think to yourself about the positive benefits or negative consequences for each activity.

1. Posting and sharing through social media. When does sharing through social media make you feel good? When does it make you feel bad?

2. Connecting with friends and family. When does connecting with friends and family make you feel good? When does it make you feel bad?

3. Browsing the posts or profiles of celebrities, acquaintances, those you consider popular, etc.: When does this kind of browsing make you feel good? When does it make you feel bad?

4. Exploring your interests online (hobbies, sports, fashion, shopping, education, etc). When does exploring these interests make you feel good? When does it make you feel bad?

5. Spending time on social media, gaming, or browsing. When do you feel fine about the amount of time you are spending online? When do you feel bad about the amount of time you are spending online? Are there times when you feel it is okay to be online? Are there times when you feel it is bad to be online?

Source: Journal of the Association of Consumer Research

“Technology use crosses the line when a person starts to experience functional impairments, in that the use is taking time away from important responsibilities such as work, family and social life,” Sawchuk said.

Source: Journal of the Association of Consumer Research. "Rewire." (Aug. 12,