I’m not sure if I’m turning into a grandma at the ripe old age of 22, but it seems like kids these days always have new toys. I normally would complain, but this year, all the new gadgets are geared towards social media.

As technology keeps progressing and social networking becomes more and more ingrained in our daily life, it’s not surprising to find more and more items that ROCK for the digital generation. Hardware like the selfie stick is designed to make social easier through incorporating digital applications with physical tools (Disclaimer: just… don’t use the selfie stick. Please.) Not only are all these new gadgets super cool, they make life on the internet a breeze.

To save you some time, we compiled a list of the top social media tools for social media marketers, lovers, and lurkers alike.

1. Camera Cases

This ain’t your mama’s phone case. With the advent of iPhoneography, it’s important to have tools at your disposal to make your selfie/foodstagram/snapchat a masterpiece. To make that cell phone photo perfect, opt for a clip-on lens like Urban Outfitters offers, or go all the way with a protective case that has built-in camera lenses.

iPhoneography die-hards can also opt for the total package with a Turtle Jacket, an all-in-one lens, strap, and tripod combination that has all you’ll ever need to be an aspiring cell phone photographer. Your photos will never suffer again.

2. Cell Phone Camera Accessories

Following the same path, if you’re an iPhoneography fanatic, you’ll need the right accessories to make your images perfect. You can practically get any accessory you would use in a regular photo shoot for your smartphone now, including flash, lens filters, or a shutter grip for fast live-action photography. For those of us who live-tweet and Instagram major events, these are necessary tools.

3. Smartphone Microphones

This one’s for the Instagram- and Snapchat-savvy. Quality photos are becoming a necessity, but you can’t forget about quality audio. While more and more platforms are including video features, it’s important to get your message across — and sometimes your camera mic doesn’t do that for you. So, of course, there’s a great assortment of plug-in microphones to get the job done. Journo friends, Snapchat fiends, and musicians who like to take sound clips from everyday life — this one’s for you.

4. Awesome-Access Cameras

Okay, let’s face it: sometimes, your smartphone just doesn’t take the photos you need. There’s only so much you can zoom, your memory card fills up too fast, and phones are fragile. That’s when you bring in the big guns.

At this point, plenty of people own or have toyed around with a GoPro. They’re great for events and can create short or long videos to be easily shared on social. Plus, they’re waterproof. The possibilities are endless. And they inspired something even cooler — the Panono.

It’s exactly what the description says: a ball that can take panoramas. Just throw it into the air, and the camera will trigger at the top of the throw (can you say “festival shots?”). It’s Android and iPhone accessible (via app!), and connects via USB or WiFi. This is going to be the next big thing in event photography.

5. Chromecast

This one combines social media with events and visual art – and it rocks. While most people use Chromecast à la Netflix or Roku, streaming video from their computer to their TV, it has so many different applications. At a party or a business event and want your friends to be more social? Have them send you photos during the event and throw them up on a TV with Chromecast. I’ve seen DJs use their Chromecast for visuals during a set and even businesses make photobooth-style backdrops during parties on their TVs. And all it takes is a simple USB hookup. I’m sold.

6. WiFi Hotspot

I don’t know how anyone lives without one of these now. Need to post something from your computer while you’re traveling? The last thing you want to do is rely on shoddy public WiFi. Not only is it unreliable, it’s not always safe. For around $20 a month, your wireless provider can offer you anywhere between 2GB and unlimited access to WiFi wherever, whenever. That’s a dream come true IMO. Upload videos and images until your last breath wherever you are and never worry about losing connection.

7. Portable Charger

Portable cell phone chargers are really are a lifesaver — especially paired with a hotspot. Sometimes you forget to close your battery-draining apps, get stuck in the subway, or just simply leave your charger at home. And you don’t want to be that guy that asks the bartender to charge his phone. These little pocket chargers generally hold up to at least a full phone’s charge and are remarkably reliable. Instagram that sunset from your campsite. Live-tweet that music festival. Facebook message your mom while you’re at Burning Man. And never worry about killing your battery again.

8. Battery Pack

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FE8sATDz1U&list=PLpKsSDh1ncXO3Aa0RoEa_W55yB-Fv2SY_

Some people find portable chargers inconvenient. That’s fine — there are plenty of discreet and even fashionable options to charge your phone. Battery cases are becoming increasingly popular, and some even come with external storage to make your life even easier. Then there’s the Everpurse — “the purse that charges your phone.” Yup, this is the future.

9. Stylus

My college photography professor told me to get a stylus for Photoshop and I didn’t listen. I should have. Not only does it make editing photos super quick and easy (a plus when you have to tweet out a post during an event or have too many things to post on Instagram to count), it makes drawing a blast. That’s why so many people are turning to Snapchat for marketing. It’s a great platform for creativity, and the first step to becoming a Snapchat pro is to get a stylus.

10. Wearables

Okay, wearables still aren’t yet established to become a social media tool per se, but they’re too cool not to acknowledge. If you run a fitness blog or business and want to keep your own fitness as part of your social persona, a FitBit, Nike Fuel Band, or the new Microsoft Band* can do that for you. With social-posting capabilities and friend-sharing tools, fitness wearables are showing the viability of technology like Google Glass as a social media tool. You already have your phone glued to you for all your social media networks — imagine having immediate access to social media at all times. Now we’re talking.

*Full disclosure: Microsoft is a client of ours, but is no way involved in this blog post.

Metter Media LLC is a Boston-based social media management company that implements community-based, localized social engagement strategies for small businesses and corporations alike. Need help with your social media? Email Lauren today.