Dangerous selfie

We are not sure if taking photos of yourself and posting them on social media can be considered a hobby. However, today we will talk about this phenomenon that has recently become an obsession among many Internet users.

We are not sure if taking photos of yourself and posting them on social media can be considered a hobby. However, today we will talk about this phenomenon that has recently become an obsession among many Internet users. It could be considered something harmless: you just have to focus the camera on yourself and take a photo. But, the Telegraph newspaper reports that during 2015 selfies caused more deaths than shark attacks, even so, deaths from shark attacks have more relevance in the media than “deaths from selfies ”. However, the problem is real and requires that we pay more attention to it - especially considering parents.

The cause of popularity

Selfies are taken almost since the beginning of photography, but became a dominant phenomenon in early 2010, as the front cameras and smartphones are more advanced applications like Instagram began to proliferate massive scale. In 2012, Time magazine included the word “selfie” in the top 10 word trends of the year.

Typically selfie enthusiasts are young. In fact, they are always the ones who are always competing to create the most unconventional selfie. The more interesting, dangerous or magnificent the selfie is, the more effusive comments it receives.

What is the problem?

Ordinary photos no longer impress anyone, and people are always looking for ways to “self-out” others by climbing roofs and towers, standing on bridge rails, or taking photos while parachuting. Some even try to take a selfie with wild animals. In other words, they are doing a lot of silly things.

Children and teens are at the highest risk of hurting themselves when taking selfies. They are extremely energetic and have not developed any sense of danger. In addition, many prefer to live an online life and seek ways to boost their self-esteem by trying to convince others that their life is interesting, busy, and action-packed.

Unfortunately, sometimes the attempt to get a great selfie ends in tragedy. There are many examples: children falling from bridges and cliffs, touching trolley cables, drowning in the open sea… There are some people who like to take selfies with firearms. In the best of cases they end up injured in a hospital, yet we have all heard about the worst cases. There is even a Wikipedia page dedicated to all injuries and deaths caused by selfies.

Tips for parents

First of all, we will repeat once again our mantra: do not leave your children alone on social media and check their profiles regularly. This is also an easy way to find out what your child is up to.

Sure, your child's love of selfies isn't a reason to panic. However, once you locate a photo that makes you assume that your child has risked his or her safety to get a good shot, you should talk to him right away, explain the dangers of taking photos in extreme conditions, and mention some well-known examples.

Also, it makes sense to use software to check your kids' searches from time to time. Some phrases like "great selfie spots ", " extreme selfies " or " selfies on the roof of a car" should obviously concern you.

Do not forget that the best way to ensure the safety of your children is to have a relationship with trust and transparency.