Some very honest online experiences

“I got all evangelical about clean eating last year, posting pics of my chia seed porridge, millet salads and avocado smoothies on Instagram. I gained lots of followers who regularly told me what an inspiration I was. I loved the limelight so much that I carried on posting the pictures long after I’d given up clean eating. In one restaurant I ordered a salad just so I could post a photo of it, while I tucked into a burger.” – Lucie, 26, teaching assistant

“After my boyfriend dumped me, I went on holiday to Thailand to get away, determined to post lots of sun-soaked bikini pics on Facebook to show him what he was missing. It rained the whole time and my hotel looked like a building site. So when I got back, I gave my IT intern some cash to Photoshop pictures of me on a beautiful beach looking like I was having the time of my life.” – Rachel, 31, researcher

“My mom is my biggest fangirl; she comments on every single thing I post, including a pic of me and my boyfriend kissing. Her comment: ‘Let’s hope he doesn’t have herpes!’ Not the reaction I was looking for.” – Pippa, 23, student

“Over the years I’ve become an expert on the night-out bathroom selfie: cheeks sucked in, head tilted, and the double-chin-defying high-angle shot. It guarantees likes.” – Sophie, 24, makeup artist and blogger “I used to post lots of pics of myself in bikinis with my bottom on display, as they received a stream of likes. But I don’t feel comfortable posting bikini images anymore. It’s not because I’m insecure – I just grew out of exposing my body for the sake of those likes. Now, my social media posts are restricted to the three F’s: fashion, family and friends. And wherever those pics are taken, you’ll only see me fully covered.”

– Sasha, 26, fashion assistant ➻