Selfie: Billy Ray Cyrus and Pew Research Center
DISADVANTAGES OF TAKING SELFIE
It's easy: Flip the view on your phone and hold it at a high angle, making your eyes look bigger and your cheekbones more defined. Position your thumb over the button, turn to your best side, and click.
The art of the selfie is one that lots of people have practiced and perfected in recent years. Seriously, lots. As of press time, more than 31 million Instagram photos have been hashtagged #selfie, and according to a recent study from the Pew Research Center, 91 percent of teens have posted a photo of themselves online. You're not alone: Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber are perpetual selfie posters, as you've likely noticed. And when even the Mars rover is programmed to be able to take photos of itself, you know selfies are more than just a trend. They're here to stay.
The most common selfie is the one where you look cute, partially because it's a quick way to get positive comments about your appearance. "If I feel pretty, I take one," says Maryland native Paris, 23. "When other people Like it, it's a mini boost of confidence."
Overall, opinions vary on whether selfie culture is lame or legit, which means it's up to you to shape the future of the habit. Ask yourself: Are my selfies for fun, or do I need the comments? If you fall under category two, Dr. Rutledge recommends shifting your perspective. That could mean cutting selfies out entirely or just scaling back and making them more fun. Bottom line? Everything you share on social media reveals something about you, and you are in control. So maybe you like to travel, or read, or dance, or create crazy 3-D nail art ... post that! Take it from us: It's so much more interesting.
It's easy: Flip the view on your phone and hold it at a high angle, making your eyes look bigger and your cheekbones more defined. Position your thumb over the button, turn to your best side, and click.
The art of the selfie is one that lots of people have practiced and perfected in recent years. Seriously, lots. As of press time, more than 31 million Instagram photos have been hashtagged #selfie, and according to a recent study from the Pew Research Center, 91 percent of teens have posted a photo of themselves online. You're not alone: Celebrities like Miley Cyrus, Rihanna, and Justin Bieber are perpetual selfie posters, as you've likely noticed. And when even the Mars rover is programmed to be able to take photos of itself, you know selfies are more than just a trend. They're here to stay.
The most common selfie is the one where you look cute, partially because it's a quick way to get positive comments about your appearance. "If I feel pretty, I take one," says Maryland native Paris, 23. "When other people Like it, it's a mini boost of confidence."
Overall, opinions vary on whether selfie culture is lame or legit, which means it's up to you to shape the future of the habit. Ask yourself: Are my selfies for fun, or do I need the comments? If you fall under category two, Dr. Rutledge recommends shifting your perspective. That could mean cutting selfies out entirely or just scaling back and making them more fun. Bottom line? Everything you share on social media reveals something about you, and you are in control. So maybe you like to travel, or read, or dance, or create crazy 3-D nail art ... post that! Take it from us: It's so much more interesting.