IN-DEPTH: SELFIES Staff Writer Selfies: the harsh truth behind the constant posts S ometimes students don’t “But first, let me take a selfie.” News feeds everywhere are clogging up with hun- dreds of selfies in this latest photographic trend. What used to be an occasional selfie post here and tweet- ed there has now turned into an epidemic of selfies plaguing social media. “Selfie” is an informal term that is defined as a photograph one has taken of oneself, usually using a smart phone. Many people take selfies and either to send them to friends or post them on social media. Some take more than others. But how many is too many? Some people take several selfies throughout the day, posting these images to social media. Scientists have noticed this social epidemic and are beginning to link the unhealthy overtaking of selfies to narcissism, so- cial media addiction, and even low self-esteem. “The selfie culture is about how we want to be seen and known to others,” Bonnie Sarton Mierau, therapist for Omaha Reactive Attachment Center, said. “People are driv- en by this, and they try to get that by taking a lot of selfies.” When someone takes too many selfies, they may be experiencing an un- healthy, narcissistic state, as scientists suggest. “Everyone has a part of them that is narcissistic. However, it becomes un- healthy when they pay too much attention to them- selves,” Dr. Mireau explained. As psychologists are find- ing out, taking too many selfies usually deals with one’s thought about oneself. They don’t feel wanted or needed in their everyday lives. “People get addicted to taking selfies because it is a quick way to feel seen on social media in their every- day lives,” Dr. Mireau said. This process of tak- ing selfies to be noticed can easily lead into an unhealthy addiction. “The best way to get over selfie addiction is to have real relationships with real humans. By letting people see who we are on the in- side, they will meet the need of feeling wanted and understood. Connections heal,” Dr. Mireau said. On the flip side of the link between selfies and low self-esteem, people who take and post several selfies are exhibiting narcissism, which is defined as one who has excessive interest in oneself. The constant posting of a selfie can actually alienate friends, according to Ju- lie Spira, a cyber etiquette expert, said. This alienation also weakens social support bonds. Spira also explains that it is not acceptable to post more than three selfie posts a day or people/follow- ers are going to be irritated. Selfies have given self- conscious and unhappy people a way to feel wanted and needed on social me- dia without actually getting the help they need. Selfies have also provided a way for narcissistic people to be even more narcissistic. They say a picture speaks a thousand words. Maybe, selfies, on the other hand, speak a thousand of all the words that need to be or should be spoken for those who need help? If someone takes too many selfies a day, scientists believe that he or she may be either narcis- sistic or have a low-self esteem. Photo from Google Images. 4 | February 25, 2015 The Trojan Times Ariana Versace-Duran Want to win a prize? Send a funny/scary/embarrasing selfie to [email protected]. The Scribner-Snyder Trojan staff will pick some of the best selfies. Winners will awarded a prize and their selfies will be in the next issue of the Trojan Times! Entries due by March 4th. Contest only for SS students and staff.