The Positive Impact of Selfies on Our Lives

Just a few years ago, selfies were deemed a significant threat to humanity. Media outlets frequently shared stories of people risking their lives for the perfect shot, accompanied by cautionary advice from psychologists and law enforcement. However, the love for capturing and sharing beautiful photos on social media has not waned. In fact, the culture of selfies has evolved, acquiring new positive social contexts. Here are several arguments in favor of the redeeming qualities of selfies.

Selfies Save Lives

Viral posts about the importance of monitoring one’s health can help prevent tragedies. This is the belief of the authors of a study published in the journal Preventive Medicine. The focus is not on motivational posts from fitness enthusiasts but on photographs of people sharing their illness stories.

In 2015, Tawny Willoughby from Kentucky posted a selfie on her social media page showing her face covered in sores and scars, the result of skin cancer treatment caused by excessive tanning. Her post, which included a warning about the dangers of tanning, went viral and garnered over 17,000 comments.

A group of US doctors found that this single selfie significantly changed people’s attitudes towards skin cancer. Search queries about skin cancer increased by 162% two days after the post, and there was also a rise in searches about preventing skin cancer while tanning. Researchers believe that Willoughby’s post may have saved numerous lives.

Uniting People Around Important Issues

While some use social media and selfies to create an illusion of a perfect life, others use these platforms to raise awareness about crucial issues.

In September, the widow of Linkin Park’s Chester Bennington shared a video on Twitter taken 36 hours before the musician’s death. In the video, Bennington was laughing and playing with his son. She posted it to show that depression does not have a typical expression or behavior, sparking the #faceofdepression movement. Hundreds of people shared selfies where they appeared happy but revealed their struggles with depression, urging others not to judge by appearances and to treat depression as an illness, not a whim.

Promoting Culture

Thanks to Danish designer Olivia Muus, the world has gained a new perspective on classical art. During a visit to the National Gallery in Copenhagen, Muus photographed exhibits as if the characters were taking selfies. Inspired by the result, she created her own selfie museum.

Although selfies can be seen as a joke, selfie photography changes the nature of portraits and makes historical images more relatable to modern people. Inspired by her photo series, Muus decided to open a selfie museum online. The idea was enthusiastically received, and selfie actions began to take place in museums worldwide, inviting visitors to take photos with exhibits. Russian museums also joined in, using this trend to attract young people to art.

Despite some negative reactions, this trend should not be seen as disrespectful to artists’ works. Instead, it is a way to integrate classical art into a modern context, remove the dust of tradition, and invite young people to engage in cultural dialogue.

Helping People Feel Happier

Alongside warnings from psychologists about selfie addiction and lowered self-esteem, there are also optimistic studies suggesting that taking selfies can make us happier. Researchers from the University of California, Irvine, found that sharing photos on social media can help combat symptoms of depression.

Both sides are likely correct. The key is moderation. If taking selfies does not become a daily ritual and one does not obsess over likes, there is no need to fear social media or feel guilty about wanting to take another photo.

Serving as a Tool for Self-Affirmation

One of the significant issues faced by millennials is the crisis of identity. In youth, it is crucial to feel part of a group. While society used to be clearly divided into subcultures and various movements, today it is more mixed, making it harder for individuals to define themselves.

Selfies help us create and spread our own image. Feminist publications argue that selfies have eliminated the need for justification to be seen and noticed. Sharing personal experiences helps abstract from a culture where opinions about beauty and ugliness, right and wrong, are standardized and subject to someone else’s interests.

Moreover, selfies represent the most sincere form of experience sharing, as they are not influenced by others.

I am not claiming that selfies are universally beneficial, but I encourage viewing them from a different perspective. This shift in perception might help use selfies as a tool to enhance happiness rather than mere appearance.