Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock (or just never check social media), you’ve likely heard of, or even participated in, the selfie trend. Although the trend first started back in the MySpace days, things really took off when Apple released the front-facing camera on the iPhone 4 in 2010. Since then, elementary schoolers, teenagers, and young adults alike have been snapping selfies like it’s their last day on Earth.
While the fad appears to be all fun and games, is there something more serious brewing beneath the surface? The infographic below, by TeenSafe.com, takes a peek into what selfies really say about us (and it’s not all good news). While some believe that these photos promote a healthy self-image, others are of the opinion that, the more you take, the more likely you are to develop a narcissistic complex. Add in the “sexy selfie” phenonmeon, and this trend is starting to look a lot more bleak than one first thought.
Selfies won’t be going away anytime soon, but perhaps examining the reason you feel inclined to snap so many photos of yourself is a good place to start.
Author’s Bio: Amy Williams is a journalist in Southern California. As a parenting writer, the selfie trend is one that she believes is important for parents to consider in their own children.
It’s definitely easy to hate on the selfie, but I think it adds more life to a photo. There’s more of a connection because the person in the photo is holding the camera, as opposed to asking a random stranger to take the photo for you as you and your friends/family stand awkwardly with a blank smile.