The Greek philosopher Socrates said “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

Today, between Facebook, Twitter, smartphones, Skype, “selfies” and the ever-expanding technology of social media, it seems the unexamined life is impossible.

More and more people are posting their daily doings and personal information, and online “sexting” and “revenge porn” have entered the vocabulary of Internet dangers.

And there can be psychological dangers as well, according to Dr. Elizabeth Krause, a psychologist with Malec, Herring & Krause in Mars.

“I have seen both positive and negative uses of social media,” said Krause. “For many, connecting through Facebook is a positive way to stay connected to friends that you wouldn't normally be able to through e-mail, phone, or in person.”

“Staying connected in a light and positive way can help us to feel good about ourselves. Because we are online, we are able to control our exposure to negativity and distance ourselves from those that are not positive influences in our lives,” she said.

“On the other hand, for others, there is a real negative effect on self esteem when you are negatively comparing yourself to the perceived value of others' lives. Many people experience a dip in their self esteem after spending a session on Facebook,” Krause noted.

Still, the mobile computing devices have become so common that school districts have adjusted their policies to accommodate them.

For example, the Mars School Board has approved the use of personal computing devices for use in the classroom under its “Bring Your Own Technology” policy.

The school district sets limits on what kind of devices can be used, has set up a filtered Internet connection for students to use and has forbidden any unapproved audio or video recording during the school day on school property.

And the district instituted a One to One Computer Initiative with the start of the 2013-2014 school year.

Each student and some teachers and staff members were issued a district-leased laptop computer for use at school and home.

Those who aren't fortunate enough to live in the Mars School District can get their social media fix at county libraries.

For example, at the Butler Public Library, 218 N. McKean St., Apryl Flynn Gilliss, the reference librarian is in charge of, among other things, the 18 computer terminals in the reference room.

They are available to patrons from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

“You need a library card to log on, but a lot of out-of-area people come up to the desk and request a guest card and we will sign them in with a photo I.D.,” said Gilliss.

Gilliss said there is a maximum of 90 minutes of computer time per patron per day, but if a patron is working on a special project, extensions can be granted.

She added one terminal is kept open for users who need to take an exam online.

Gilliss said, “Most people are using Facebook, that's the most popular thing. People also use the computers for job searches. We have Microsoft Word and Excel for projects. And people play games.”

“A lot of times people say their computer is broke at home or their printer is out of ink. We have a great color and black and white printer. And there is public Wi-Fi anywhere in the building,” Gilliss said.

Library patron Twila Snyder of Butler said she uses the library's computers six days a week.

“I teach a GED class and I log on for GED stuff like worksheets,” said Snyder. “And there is whatever personal stuff, e-mails and stuff. I'm always here.”

“I check my e-mails, do a little online shopping, keep in contact with my kids and the rest of my family,” said Snyder.

“I don't Tweet, but I'm on Facebook. I've been for about a year and a half. It has its uses, but it's a little public,” said Snyder.

“Facebook is fine if you just want to post pictures, and you don't care who sees it,” said Snyder. “If you want to keep things private you send e-mails.”

She said she has been computerized for the last 13 years or so and can't live without one.

Kayla Brink of Butler was using the Butler Library's Wi-Fi to do schoolwork on her laptop.

“I'm doing my graduate homework. I'm at graduate school at Pitt for social work,” she said. “I spent a lot of time the last semester here, at least one day a week for eight hours.”

Brink said the library provides not only Wi-Fi but a break from her 4-year-old son.

“I go online to do homework, research for papers and get access to Pitt's database to get course assignments,” said Brink.

She is on Facebook but tries to avoid viewing it during schoolwork because “it's too distracting.”

Brink said she also visits Pintrest on occasion to get ideas for parties and decorations.Butler County Community College offers classes about maneuvering through the social media landscape, said Jessica Matonak, assistant director of communications and marketing at the college.“We do have a Craigslist and eBay class, which are considered social media platforms. They are noncredit lifelong learning classes,” said Matonak.“We have social media for business and professional life and then we do have another class about how to use LinkedIn to learn how to network,” Matonak said.The college also offers a social media and children class. “It's for parents with children who want to use social media and know how to use it responsibly,” she said.Which is a good, according to Krause, because today's young have incorporated social media into everyday life.“Youth tend to use Facebook as a way of fitting in and being liked, which, of course, is what they're trying to do at their stage of development,” she said.“Teenagers tend to gravitate to Snap Chat, Instagram, and Twitter rather than Facebook to emphasize their own observations and personalities,” said Krause.“This is also reflective of their developmental task to form a sense of self that is separate and uniquely their own,” she said.But social media is not just for the young, according to Sharon Whalen, in charge of the Silversmart Technology Center in Lutheran Senior Life's Passavant Retirement Community in Zelienople.She said the center has volunteers working one on one with some of its 600 residents to get them used to iPads and the Internet.“Skype has been big. Skype is a way for residents to communicate with families, good old video calls,” said Whalen. “We had one resident whose grandson was getting married in California. They put the laptop at the end of the aisle and everyone blew kisses or waved (at his grandmother).”Whalen said the center had received a grant to buy iPads to provide to residents in the skilled nursing and personal care units, iPads that carry Face Time, the Apple version of Skype.“Social media has improved the quality of life for our residents,” said Whalen. “But it's not touched as many lives as we'd like it to. It's a phenomenal way to connect seniors and families. We set everything up, all they have to do is be there.”Whalen said she believes that some of the reluctance to take up social media could have a generational cause.“We sent out 70 letters offering Facetime on the iPad. We got back one phone call,” said Whalen. “I'm not real sure why that is but maybe since many of our residents are in their 90s, their children are in their 70s who just aren't using the technology. Maybe we should get in touch with the grandchildren.”“Interestingly, all age groups agree that there is an addictive quality to social media as well,” said Krause. “Most people report feeling that if they don't check Facebook, they feel left out.”