Her Instagram page was filled with picture-perfect shots of her flawless body, her stunning smile and fashion forward outfits.

But, shockingly, last week Essena revealed it was all a lie.

The teen, from Queensland, Australia, came clean in a series of online videos, claiming: “I’m the girl who had it all – and I want to tell you that having it all on social media means nothing to your real life.”

Essena then shut down her Tumblr and Snapchat accounts, as well as deleting 2,000 photos from her Instagram, captioning the remaining 96 photos with the stark truth behind the photos.

One post – showing her toned body in a bikini - reads: “NOT REAL LIFE – took over 100 similar poses trying to make my stomach look good. Would have hardly eaten that day.

"Would have yelled at my sister to keep taking them until I was somewhat proud.”

HORROR AS #CUT4ZAYN TRENDS

Essena says she set out to expose the “fake” world of social media, to stop others obsessing over seemingly perfect lives online.

And for Nikki Pedder, 24, Essena’s revelation is especially poignant.

Single mum Nikki was diagnosed with anxiety in September 2014, and believes looking at other people’s ‘glamorous’ lives on social media was largely to blame.

Nikki, who lives in Newcastle with her son, Oscar, one, says: “I used to spend 10 hours a day browsing Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and comparing myself to other people.

“When I saw other women with their perfect lives I’d feel anxious because my life was nothing like that.

"I felt like a failure. Sometimes I’d get so upset I could feel my chest tightening and realized I was about to have a panic attack.

"But since cutting back on the hours I spend online I feel more positive – and have a better perspective on life.

"Instead of staring at Facebook and feeling inadequate, I’m out enjoying life with Oscar.”

To read more of Nikki's story, get your copy of Closer magazine - out now