Save Us From The Selfie

By
The Mother Load (Australia)

Image: morguefile.com

Save Us From The Selfie

It’s a subject that’s been playing on my mind lately, particularly as I watch my first born child heading towards her teen years like a clumsy snowball barrelling down a hill. Perhaps it’s because we sat as a family and watched old videos of her as a toddler this past weekend, or simply due to the fact that her newly discovered sometimes surly teen-like attitude is belting me over the head as a reminder that my firm, motherly grasp is gently loosening. Either way, I need to give further consideration to this especially tricky subject that all parents face thanks to the wonders of technology and connectivity.  I am of course referring to the modern age artistic phenomenon of the ‘selfie’. For those living in 1980 or with their head in the sand (any room there for me?) a ‘selfie’ is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as follows:

Selfie

noun (plural selfies)

informal, a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.
I’m no prude nor am I inclined to wrap my kids in cotton wool, but truth be told, as a Mum of two girls I feel like in our house at least, we have got to get our educational ‘ducks in a row’ regarding discussions about the selfie (and indeed wider elements of the social media phenomenon). Not that we assume either of our kids will be particularly irresponsible in this regard, but I figure it’s beneficial for early conversations to take place, and for them to enter into the boundless digital age with a degree of understanding of how a selfie has the potential to evolve into territory that no longer represents the kind of person you truly are, and the possible negative effects it can have within oneself.

Let’s be clear. I’m not talking about the smiling teenage girls simply hanging out, having fun and capturing the moment for the sake of a memory, then sharing with friends. You know where I’m heading. See the above images; simply type selfie into Google and you’ll get my drift. I’m talking about the fine line between innocent and potentially suggestive and how the all-important public acknowledgement of ones physical appearance can have a significant impact on a teen’s body image and self-acceptance. Furthermore, I make an assumption here but it seems that the more suggestive the shared image, the more ‘likes’ and comments they receive from their peers and consequently, the better they feel about themselves which I think is where the danger lies. News flash fellow Gen Xer’s, the word “hot” no longer applies to the temperature of the fire if you stand too close – hit Instagram in the 12 – 17 age bracket and see how many times it comes up under a photo of some doe-eyed teen not suitable to pop in their family album.

Perhaps I’m being melodramatic and maybe I’ll get schooled about why I should let my kids completely navigate the process for themselves, but I’ve seen too many kids that I know personally taking shots of themselves imitating suggestive poses they’ve seen on TV or in magazines, simply begging for positive body affirmation and it’s that shit that troubles me. These kids are smart, quiet, sporty, or nerdy and from loving families and yet, they snap and share the type of shots of themselves that would make Granny’s hair curl. And when the ‘likes’ dry up what happens? Are we faced with some real body issues? Or maybe we move onto ‘sexting’ as a new way of stepping up the attention-seeking? (Surely no definition of that sunny little phenomenon is required…?)

Regardless, we need to remember that the territory is completely new. We can’t refer back to previous generations for advice on digital issues – we’re breaking new ground and writing the blue print on how to parent through this successfully. For me, it’s really important that we add it to the list of stuff we need to discuss with them before they gain their independence. We have the drugs conversation, the sex and body discussion, why not this? Clearly, knowledge is power and I believe that perhaps we’ll see a few less suggestive selfies if the 9 – 11 year olds are mentally and emotionally armed enough to make their own choices with consequences in mind.

And if not, well just don’t get Granny signed up to Instagram. It may not end well.

Share small business news, blogs and social media tips with Project Eve’s community of small business owners and entrepreneurs today. Our contributors come from a wide range of backgrounds; so whether you are a small business owner, social media strategist, financial adviser, serial entrepreneur, or write an amateur blog we urge you to contribute a blog to our 350,000+ community today. For more information, please refer to our Content Submissions Guidelines.

Add a Blog

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

24 COMMENTS

  2. Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you’re a great
    author. I will be sure to bookmark your blog and
    will often come back sometime soon. I want to encourage you to ultimately continue your great work,
    have a nice weekend!

  3. Thanks on your marvelous posting! I definitely enjoyed reading it, you could be a
    great author.I will be sure to bookmark your blog and will eventually come back in the future.

    I want to encourage you to ultimately continue
    your great writing, have a nice day!

  8. Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your site, how
    could i subscribe for a blog website? The account helped me
    a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast
    offered bright clear idea

  9. I blog frequently and I really thank you for your information. Your article has truly peaked my interest.

    I am going to bookmark your blog and keep checking for new
    information about once a week. I subscribed to your Feed too.

  12. What’s up i am kavin, its my first occasion to commenting anywhere, when i read this piece of writing i thought i could also make comment due to this
    brilliant piece of writing. plenty of fish natalielise

  13. I believe that is one of the so much significant info for me.

    And i am glad studying your article. But should
    remark on few common things, The site taste is great, the articles is really nice : D.
    Excellent task, cheers

  14. Everyone loves what you guys are up too. Such clever work and
    exposure! Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve
    added you guys to my blogroll.

  15. whoah this weblog is great i really like studying your posts.

    Keep up the good work! You recognize, lots of persons are looking round for this information, you could help them greatly.

  17. My coder is trying to persuade me to move to .net
    from PHP. I have always disliked the idea because of the costs.
    But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using Movable-type on various websites for about a year and am worried about switching to another platform.
    I have heard great things about blogengine.net.
    Is there a way I can transfer all my wordpress posts into it?

    Any help would be really appreciated!

  18. Definitely consider that which you stated. Your favorite reason appeared to be at the web the easiest thing to remember of.
    I say to you, I certainly get irked whilst other people consider
    worries that they plainly don’t know about. You controlled to hit
    the nail upon the top and also outlined out the entire thing without
    having side effect , people can take a signal.
    Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  19. Nice weblog here! Additionally your site a lot up fast!
    What host are you the use of? Can I get your associate hyperlink to your host?
    I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  20. I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right
    here. The sketch is attractive, your authored material stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get bought an impatience over that you wish be delivering the
    following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly very
    often inside case you shield this increase.

  21. Hi there very nice site!! Man .. Beautiful .. Wonderful ..
    I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds also?

    I am satisfied to search out a lot of useful information here in the
    post, we’d like develop more strategies in this regard,
    thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  23. I blog quite often and I genuinely appreciate your information. This article has truly
    peaked my interest. I will take a note of your website and keep checking for new details about once per week.
    I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  24. I’m extremely inspired with your writing skills and also
    with the layout in your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you
    modify it yourself? Anyway keep up the excellent quality writing,
    it’s uncommon to look a great weblog like this one these days..

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here