You may have noticed that the most important thing right now is to take “selfies”. This is when you take a photo of yourself and share it with others, be it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, or any other form of social media sharing.
Taking and posting selfies is not a bad thing unless it is used in a bad way. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Girls usually take more selfies than anyone. Take a look at Facebook or Instagram and you’ll see.
- People who post selfies are looking for others to like the images they post. Very often, people seek validation for what they post. They look for people who comment that: they look good, they wore a great outfit, they are doing something fun, etc. It is important to keep in mind that many young people seek validation from others for their own worth and self-esteem.
- Teens may take pictures during a time when they feel on top of the world and their confidence at the time is rising, so they take a daring photo, possibly doing something they normally wouldn’t. We’ve seen this happen before when someone takes a photo drinking, showing a body part, and even on some occasions committing a crime.
- On the other hand, they may feel very depressed and take a photo that is not something they would normally want to share with others.
- Everyone is doing it, both adults and children; even celebrities.
- This can be a great way to share your personality and interests with others.
It is important to remember that any image posted on social networks is available; it is public and it is likely that someone one day will be able to find it. As we’ve seen lately from some public figures, sending images, whether via text or post, can work against you.
What can you do as a parent?
Talk to your teen about posting photos. Keep an eye on what your teen posts; Sometimes our teens don’t make the best decisions in what they post. Potential employers and schools can find out a lot about a person by looking them up on social media or even just by Googling someone.
Have family rules and guidelines.. As a family, discuss what is appropriate and what is not. Discuss security issues related to posting information and images. This is a great way to open the doors of communication with a general discussion.