If you've been tempted by the idea of checking your social media profiles, imagining what others might think of your life, you're not alone.
According to author and psychotherapist Eloise Skinner, it's a completely natural phenomenon that many people enjoy.
"The desire to understand how we are perceived has been present in the human instinct for generations," said the mental health professional.
"As we try to understand ourselves, answering the eternal question of who we are, we often draw on the thoughts and reflections of others to guide us," he explains.
And when that opinion isn't immediately available, Skinner explained to Mashable, we try to imagine what that opinion is by examining what others see when they view our profiles.
This need for acceptance and social status has been shaped over the years by evolution, added psychologist Zoe Mallet.
As a result, all people have a deep-seated need for social approval that is only reinforced by social media.
"It's a subconscious effort to improve our social standing, increase our chances of belonging and create a positive self-image, which is part of our survival coping mechanisms as humans." said Mallet.
Stalking someone's social media is just another way to control others' perception of themselves, she explained.
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