Pros and cons of selfie culture

In modern life, it is fashionable to name the latest trends and technologies with short, sharp words like SciFi, HiFi, and WiFi. The latest addition is Selfie, which is a photograph of oneself, taken by the photographer. It can be taken with a portable digital camera, tablet or smartphone. Special sticks or stands are now available to hold smartphones to facilitate better photos without the help of a third person. Selfies are often used for sharing on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr. Most selfies are taken with a camera held at arm’s length without a self-timer. In ancient times, people used to photograph themselves by uncovering the camera lens and running into the shot. Another method was to place the camera on a nearby object or on a tripod and capture one’s own reflected image in a mirror.

There are two types of selfies. When it contains only one person, it is an individual selfie. If more than one person is captured in a selfie, it is called a “Group Selfie”. The latter is also known as ‘Groufie’, ‘Wefie’ and ‘Usie’. Whatever the type, the purpose of such selfies is to focus on the people in them. The most popular is the individual selfie that can be shared with close friends and family. Lately, group selfies have more value as they show the relationship and unity of people.

Benefits of selfies: The need for a photographer is dispensed with. Personal images and various expressions can be taken and shared with others. Such selfies are used for; 1) Report one’s position to the family living in a faraway place. 2) Freeze memorable moments 3) Provide evidence of being in a place 4) Share status with employer on progress 5) Foster relationships and coordination.

Selfie damage: Many incidents of mishaps and loss of life due to the selfie craze are being reported around the world. An overdose of perfect selfies is likely to cause body dysmorphic disorder. Psychological studies conducted in 2015 found a link between the number of selfies posted online and narcissism was stronger among men than women. One person fell dead while trying to take a selfie with the city in the background, by standing on the parapet of the terrace of the ten-story building. VIP selfies are used to promote business and market influence. The movement of traffic or pedestrians stops when some people take selfies in crowded places, such as highways, train stations, and shopping malls.

When a famous actor attended a funeral, some people rushed to take selfies with the actor and the dead in the background. Shame is for such uncivilized people. A couple slipped from the edge of a cliff and died while taking a selfie. A man accidentally shot himself in the head while taking a selfie with a loaded gun. A woman died of electrocution while she was taking selfies on top of a parked train. A college student suffered a fatal head injury when she tried to take a selfie and fell from a moving train.

Some countries have launched awareness and advisory campaigns to educate their citizens about the dangers of selfies. In Russia, mock traffic signs are posted to warn of unsafe poses, and the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a “selfie safety guide” that warns selfie enthusiasts of some common dangerous behavior. Selfies are good as long as people keep their shyness and respect other people’s feelings.