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I grew up in a time when we would shout Selfie! Selfie! When we wanted to tease someone for being selfish. Selfie was the shorter version for selfish. So when this internet slang entered the Oxford dictionary as a noun, Selfie took on a complete new meaning. Selfie is now defined as a self-photograph taken either with a smartphone, digital camera or a webcam and shared via social media. It’s not only about how often this word is used, but that it has this strange potential to make you acutely aware, which age bracket you belong to.
It distinguishes clearly, the above 40’s something and the below 40’s something.
When you socialize with a group of people you can immediately point out who belongs to your age wagon and who does not. The older you are, chances are that you would shy away from this Selfie phenomenon. No matter how young you may look, there is something about the way you react to Selfies that is a dead giveaway.
There is a whole science behind the art of clicking a Selfie. I wasn’t aware of it until I found myself being hurdled by my students for a group Selfie. For the best results, a typical Selfie is shot from a high angle, which accentuates the size of the eyes and gives the impression of a slender, pointed chin. The left side is used more often than otherwise, the eyes are widened for further special effect, and the pout. Oh God the pout! It’s like the wind has been sucked out of the face so as to heighten the cheekbones and the lips pucker to a sensuous invitation. That’s where the dead giveaway is. It’s the younger group that does it with easy and perfection that it is almost natural to put on the selfie face for that great snap. After a quick preview another shot is taken till the perfect selfie is obtained. It’s almost compulsive.
No moment is remembered for what it really is, but the selfie! You could take this group of young 20’s something to the most beautiful place on earth and hope that the experience should mesmerize them, but no, the Selfie will precede the moment. It’s that perfect Selfie that makes the experience or the socializing all the more exciting.
The other important thing about Selfies is that they have to be shared. It’s not only about the pleasure of clicking a good photograph, the idea is that the selfie needs to be uploaded. People and others have to see it and then comment.
In this strange world of Selfie, one cannot help but think, are selfies good for you? Is it a harmless indulgence of the younger generation?
There are a few studies that have been looking at why Selfies obsession should be a concern.
One particular study has examined the personality traits of people who post Selfies on social media sites such as Facebook, instagram and what’s app. The results obtained from a large sample to be considered reliable, showed two personality types, narcissist and self-objectifying being associated with those spending more time on social networking sites and whose selfies were with major photo-. editing reworks.
Narcissist traits are best described as behaviors in people who have extreme sense of self-centeredness with an exaggerated, grandiose view of themselves. They have an excessive need to be admired by others and have a sense of entitlement. They love themselves more than their due sense of self pride and believe that they are more capable than most people. People with narcissist traits tend to show off with selfies and make extra effort to look their best in these photos.
Self-objectification on the other hand is a tendency by a person to view their own body as an object with specific value given to its sexual worth. Their beauty is about being physically attractive. They tend to see themselves in terms of only their physical appearance and base their self-worth on their appearances.
Self-objectification has to also do with a lower sense of self-esteem, so they may not necessarily post many Selfies on line rather they would spend more time on their appearances.
So the world of Selfie is about how we view ourselves. The danger lies not in the act itself but rather how we see ourselves or how we think others see us. The impact others have on our self-value is what should be a concern. Is the world of Selfies encouraging certain traits, which makes our societies lopsided, minimizing empathy and exaggerating physical appearances.
Mental health professionals are concerned with the rise of Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) amongst younger people. The urge to check ones appearance is the defining feature of BDD.
People with BDD will spend hours trying to take the perfect picture which do not highlight any so called “flaws” in their appearances, which others may not even notice but which is the focus of the person. The person feels defined by these flaws and are excessively self-conscious. This causes them distress and minimizes the need to mingle with others.
The important thing thus is that no matter what age group you belong to, how comfortable or uncomfortable you are with Selfies, become aware that too much of anything is bad for your health.
Dr Aldina Braganza e Gomes is a clinical psychologist, psychotherapist and associate professor, HOD, Dept of Psychology Carmel College
