Now that many of us measure our self worth by the number of friends we have on Facebook and followers on Twitter, it is perhaps no surprise to learn that social networking is to become the next mobile battleground.

Handset manufacturers and network operators have both been quick to realise that praying on the paranoid addictive insecure craving that requires people to remain in continuous uninterrupted contact with each other is going to provide the next big profit opportunity.

Because, in our brave new world of Big Brother, Heat and instant celebrity, where it is possible to be famous simply for being famous, to be disconnected is to disappear.

Out of sight is out of mind. So unless we are constantly present online, onscreen or in print, there is the very real danger we would simply cease to exist.

That means we need to remain connected, not only to know precisely what others are up to, but also to let everybody else know what we are thinking and doing, each and every minute of each and every day.

No matter how fatuous, inconsequential or moronic our thoughts or actions might be.

It has got to the point where some amongst us, such as Stephen Fry, seem to spend every waking moment twittering on inanely about topics of no great import.

Others find it necessary to pointlessly post on Facebook the fact they think somebody that was sitting opposite them on a train happened to be hot.

And the habit is becoming more widespread.

Already Facebook claims to have 20 million active members in the UK, with the number of visits to their site having more than doubled during the last 14 months. What’s more, according to Experian Hitwise, the average length of each of those visits has increased by 31%, from 19 minutes 59 seconds in September 2008 to 26 minutes 14 seconds during September 2009.

Likewise the folks at Ofcom estimate that of the 38% of all adult internet users who now have a social networking site page or profile, nearly 9 out of 10 are Facebook members. 41% use those sites every day, compared to 30% two years ago, while those visiting any social networking site less often than once a week has almost halved, from 20% to 12%.

Amongst internet users under 35, the number with a social networking site page or profile is even more pronounced, rising to nearly 7 in every 10 16-to-24 year olds and 6 out of every 10 25-to-34 year olds.

You do not need to be a marketing whiz to appreciate the potential.

Consequently it should be no surprise that Orange have been quick to offer the Motorola Dext. The key selling point for the handset is MotoBlur, an application that, as Motorola boasts, “is the first and only solution to synch contacts, posts, feeds, messages, e-mails, photos and more – from sources such as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Gmail, Yahoo, your work e-mail and LastFM – and automatically deliver it all to the home screen.”

However the Dext is to be quickly followed by Vodafone 360, the key element of which is an address book that integrates contacts on social networking sites such as the aforementioned Facebook and instant messaging forums such as Google Talk.

Vodafone 360 will, Vodafone claim arguably ignoring the Motorola and Orange offering, bring “your world together like never before.” It will be the “one place to get status updates and stay in touch with your friends. And a wide range of Apps, Games and Music for you to enjoy. All in one experience, accessible from your phone, PC and Mac.”

No doubt Vodafone, previously your parents’ network of choice, hope that 360 will get them down there with the kids and give their offering some semblance of street cred.

This may prove a forlorn hope if the only apps, games and music you can download are those Vodafone are prepared to sell you.

But neither Orange or Vodafone will have the sector to themselves for very long. Similar apps for other networks and handsets are sure to quickly follow.

And then, thanks to our mobiles, all of us will find it even easier to instantly react to whatever we might see, read, think or hear, wherever we might be.

Opening your mouth to change feet, and allowing the whole world to forever witness your ensuing embarrassment, will never have been easier.