Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat are all ruling our everyday lives, 10 reasons how

The way we dress, speak, eat and even exercise is being dictated by social media sites and apps. Who’d have thought it?

(Kirstin Sinclair/Getty Image)

Ask yourself: when you wake up, what is the first thing to do? Check your phone? Now, ask yourself again: before you go to sleep, what is the last thing to do? Check your phone? You’ve undoubtedly answered yes and yes.

With the development of a new smartphone almost every month, it’s no secret the power of social media has grown dramatically in just a few short years. Our phones have attached themselves like a third limb to our bodies. As our never-ending craving for Facebook ‘likes’, Twitter ‘retweets’, and Instagram selfies increases, how dangerous is our addiction to said sites actually becoming?

Perhaps, frighteningly, social media is allowing our self-image to become directly linked with our self-worth and social esteem. Not a believer? Take a look at these ten ways social media sites and apps control your mind every day:

1) It controls the way you dress

From Instagram seflies to how much cleavage some show on that new Facebook profile picture, we dress for the photos we take rather than for the night itself. Think to yourself: have you ever left for a night out and told your friends you need a group photo before even setting foot outside the door? Why can’t we just enjoy the night without worrying about posting a photo of what we looked like?

2) It controls the way you speak

‘LOL’, ‘igy’, and other similar terms aren’t words, so why are we incorporating them into everyday conversation? Be honest with yourself: you’ve probably used at least one ‘text speak’ word in a real-life conversation, haven’t you?

3) It controls what food you eat

 

A photo posted by Matt Seal (@roadkill1441) on Nov 24, 2015 at 9:57am PST

Ever ordered food and thought ‘I need to take a photo before I eat this’? When actually eating out rather than simply binging on last night’s pizza delivery, why do we feel it necessary to take a photo of this instead of just enjoying it with good company?

4) It controls your exercise routine

 

What's the point in doing #exercise if you don't take a #selfie #MorningRun #fitness #NikeClothing #nikepro #FitFam

A photo posted by Danielle lauren scott (@daniellelaurenscott) on Nov 27, 2015 at 5:26am PST

You simplify MUST Snapchat your time at the gym, otherwise, did it even happen?! However, this ‘posey’ photo will be too unrealistic that it is actually a completely inaccurate reflection of your daily exercise routine. The thought of sending out this Snapchat/photo makes you change your appearance to one that completely doesn’t suit the activity you should be getting on with. Instead of going about our daily routines, we’re actually taking time out to get that perfect Instagram gym selfie.

5) It controls our social activities

 

A photo posted by Freddie Upchurch (@crunchydude) on Nov 30, 2015 at 5:15am PST

Of course, your drinks with friends simply must be documented, along with the food you all share. Our first thoughts when socialising are not of taking a sip out of that long-awaited cocktail. No, it is of the photo we’re going to Instagram later of our drinks.

6) It controls how we view the world around us (my own post - shameful)

Nowadays, scenic views are to be Instagrammed and not enjoyed. You probably only looked at the views around you to see if they could be photographed, filtered, and posted later to show all your friends.

7) It controls our taste in music

Due to social media, our music taste now appears to depend on how popular the band is. After all, your photo won't get any likes if it’s a picture of Jedward’s album cover, so why bother listening to it?

8) It controls our appearance

 

New hair guuuuuiiiiiis #newhair #girlswithpiercings #girlswithtattoos #girlswithink #alternative #happygoluckygirl #smiles #meow #mylife #modelintraining #excited #goodmood #justcause

A photo posted by Bree Williams (@_nephthys_nautica_) on Nov 30, 2015 at 12:22pm PST

That beloved ‘new hair’ selfie - need more be said? This is probably the most basic of grooming regimes for we humans, yet we are using it as an opportunity to stock up on likes.

9) It controls our time away with family and friends

 

Ithis weather #hotdays #tattoos #lovinthisweather #hotdogsorlegs

A photo posted by XVII (@taylorcullen_) on Nov 29, 2015 at 9:51pm PST

Instead of a relaxing escape from home, holidays have become to mean one thing: that all-important new photo album on Facebook. After all, what’s the point in going if no-one saw your perfect by-the-pool selfie?

10) It controls our time with our pets

 

A photo posted by Daniella (@daniieellax) on Oct 1, 2015 at 6:39am PDT

After finally being reunited with our pet after a long time away, our first thought is to take a selfie of that moment. Animals obviously don’t even understand what a selfie is, so, please - let us stop this madness.

Social media is supposed to be a way for people to connect with friends, old and new, and with family members. Sadly, though, this is no longer the case. It could be argued such sites and apps have actually become another ‘person’ in our lives, one that is able to make and control each decision for you.

Instead of enjoying experiences, we are documenting them in a constant battle to fuel our egotistical minds. The antidote? We need to take more time to enjoy our lives while we’re young - so don’t let social media control you.

Twitter: @gracie__f