Signs Your Social Media Addiction Is Taking Over Your Life!

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Social media seems to be taking over all of our lives as we spend an increasingly large amount of time checking everything from Facebook to Twitter at work or while on the go. We are now faced with constant streams and feeds vying for our attention every time we switch on a computer or our phones and for the most part, we're happy to play along and absorb all this content to the point where our brains must be starting to fry. Here are fifteen sure signs that social media has taken over your life and that you probably owe yourself a break.

Here are the signs your addiction to social media has taken over your life:

#2 It’s the first thing you do in the morning

Almost every social media addict will begin their daily routine by slowly and pointlessly scrolling through what we have missed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more during our eight hours of sleep.

Usually it’s not much, but that doesn’t deter us from staring into our phones.

#3 Your children catch you trying to post Facebook updates while reading their bedtime stories.

You know it’s seriously bad when you agree that you will pay them 20p every time they bust you. It has got out of control when they can buy an XBox with the proceeds.

#4 YOU GET ANNOYED WHEN YOU FORGET TO TAKE YOUR PHONE TO THE TOILET

Going to the toilet is a horrible experience if you happen to forget your phone or tablet for the couple of minutes that you are there. You literally look around the room wondering what you're going to do and how you are going to get through this experience.

#5 No WiFi is devastating.

Every now and again terrible things can happen, and for the social media generation there is no greater devastation than seeing the phrase ‘no WiFi’.

Not being able to scroll through never-ending timelines of our friends and family’s statuses is a terrifying concept, which is why entering a building which doesn’t offer free internet isn’t even an option.

#6 You can’t get beyond the main course in a restaurant before you get out your phone and instagram the duck confit.

In fact, you are itching to snap away by the time the first course arrives. Ideally, you would chronicle the bread basket within three minutes of arriving. Because, frankly, a romantic meal for two isn’t a romantic meal for two unless you have shared it with all your followers. Course by course.

#7 You Get Upset When You Don’t Get The Response You Were Hoping For

Do you find yourself in a bad mood when you don’t get the amount of likes you were hoping for, or you post a status asking “Who wants to hang out?” and no one responds? If your mood depends on the activity on your social media page, that’s a pretty good indication that it’s taken over your life completely.

#8 You hear imaginary notifications

If you’re obsessed with social media then getting a notification can be exciting, but when you start to imagine them you definitely have a problem.

Many of us have experienced the imaginary phone vibration causing you to frantically check your phone for a notification that never came…seriously, this is a real thing.

#9 Someone tells you a joke, and instead of laughing out loud, you use the phrase “lol”.

As in, you actually open your mouth and instead of uttering the purest, most instinctive proof of humanity, you say “lol.” And then you laugh at your own cleverness.

#10 YOU POST PHOTOS OF YOUR DINNER WHILE IT GOES COLD

You're absolutely starving and a piping hot plate of food is placed in front of you, but instead of eating it while sharing conversation with friends, you decide you need the perfect lighting, tilt the plate and shoot multiple angles to get that perfect shot which gets more than ten Instagram likes.

#11 You literally announce to everyone on social media what you are doing every day, every hour.

Things like brushing your teeth, having a lunch, found a penny, went shopping today and blah, blah, blah.

#12 Your Online Life Has Become Your Real Life

Have you found yourself discussing your online life in-person? Do you often refer to your online activities as your daily routine? Do you have more friends online than in real life?

Unfortunately, these are all signs of severe social media addiction where your online presence overshadows your reality until it completely takes over your life.

#13 You Hashtag Almost Every Single Word You Type

If you are an Internet user in the late era, you’ve probably been exposed to the hashtag craze. The hashtag started as a beacon for conversation topics on Twitter. It quickly turned into an obsession that invaded other social networks including: Facebook, Instagram and tumblr. You have a case of social media addiction if you are hashtagging your way on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Some people hashtag every single word they type, aiming that way to get more followers and fans.

#14 Choosing the right status is torturous.

Much like deciding on the right selfie, choosing the right thing to say on a status or tweet can be extremely difficult.

Usually the average user’s casual-looking status will have gone through rigorous editing, multiple deletions and about 10 re-writes – it’s THAT big of a deal.

#15 Constantly Checking For Updates or Likes

One of the major signs of social media addiction is the frantic checking up on your smartphone for updates, likes or interactions on Twitter, Facebook and similar websites. You start becoming more and more distracted from whatever you are doing, including housework, important tasks at your workplace or your homework.

#16 YOU'VE READ EVERYTHING THERE IS TO READ ONLINE

It's the weekend and you've read every one of your favorite blogs, newspapers, Twitter, Facebook and Flipboard and it feels as if you've read everything that matters on the internet. No matter how hard you try, you think you've pretty much read everything important online and wish somebody would update their blog.

Could this be you? The first step is admitting you have a problem. Followed by immediately seaking professional help! Jusssst Kidding…… kind of! This post is just to “poke” a little fun at those who find themselves checking the site constantly throughout the day, getting distracted talking to friends, and just having a good time in general. If you are still taking the time out of your day to eat, shower and spend time with those who aren’t just virtual, then you are on the right track! Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to go check my Facebook page to see if I have any new notifications… 😉