User:Anisamusa15/sandbox

Social Media

Selfie is briefly described as the taking of a photograph of oneself using a Smartphone of some kind. Selfies can also be taken using other devices such as a Webcam, a hand held Camera, a Tablet and many more. Once a selfie is taken, it is mainly distributed through several social media websites in order to better enhance social communications. One of the most common sources of media where a selfie is taken is on Snapchat. This website is used to communicate with others through the use of pictures which majority of the time come in the form of selfies.

History

Although the word selfie was added to the English dictionary not too long ago, the behavior has been around for centuries. It is argued that the first form of 'selfie-ing' was through portrait paintings. Selfie stick is a very useful utensil when it comes to selfie taking. This material makes the activity of taking selfies much easier and can include much more individuals in a photo. The main purpose for its invention in the 1980's was to make the act of selfie taking convenient to many. Back in the day, the selfie stick supported a Compact camera, however now it supports a smartphone of any kind. Ever since 2012, selfies have become a part of mainstream media. The top 4 reasons as to why individuals take selfies include; to share a special moment, to look attractive, to showcase specific outfits, along with communications with others. Many online dating websites have enhanced the use of selfies to satisfy their users.

Effects

Positive Reasons for Selfie Taking

One of the reasons for the use of selfies comes with several affirmative reasons as to why people engage in selfie taking, which include the exploration of characters and persona and the expression of oneself. The use of objects and images are able to enhance selfie taking and make it productive in many ways. Selfies are also able to create a sense of identity for many in ways which can enhance self-esteem and self-worth. It is statistically proven that 73% of the millennial generation selfies while 24% is Gen X and the remaining 13% of selfie taking is expressed by the baby boomers. Selfie taking has been a booming behavior through the holly wood industry from celebrities on

Negativity around Selfies

Moreover, experts argue the idea of engaging in selfie taking can result in mental and physical illness connecting back to media influences and social pressures. Many individuals try to compare their selfies to other celebrities or media famous individuals causing a low in self-esteem along with self-worth. More serious cases have resulted in suicide due to major influences from media. A physical illness that has resulted from selfies includes Bulimia. This illness, in relations to selfies, is caused when an individual is extremely focused on producing a selfie that will be liked by the majority, which also plays in with social acceptance caused from feelings of low-self worth. Addiction is another negative effect caused from selfie taking by individuals who spend majority of their time amusing or impressing other strangers on social media. The craving for acceptance plays a large role in the reasons as to why people take selfies to begin with. Lastly, the urge to be accepted into society through likes, comments, and the sharing of ones photo is able to express the idea that more likes equal more popularity in a positive way. This is able to mentally damage an individuals self-esteem when they connect their self worth to the way they are viewed by others.