Does your teenager post selfies?

You may have noticed that the most important thing now is taking “selfies”. This is when you take a photo and share it with others, be it on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, or any other way of sharing on social media.

Taking and posting selfies is not a bad thing unless used in the wrong way. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Girls tend to take more selfies than anyone else. Take a look at Facebook or Instagram and you will see it.

• 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 to comment that: they look good, they wore a cool outfit, they are doing something fun, etc. It is important to note that many young people seek validation from others for their own worth and self-esteem.

• Teens can take pictures during a time when they can feel on top of the world and their confidence right now is increasing, so they take a bold picture, possibly doing something they normally wouldn’t. We have seen this happen before when someone takes a photo drinking, showing a part of the body and sometimes even committing a crime.

• On the other hand, they may feel really down and take a photo that is not something they would normally want to share with others.

• Everyone does it, adults and children alike; even celebrities.

• This can be a great way to share your personality and interests with others.

It is important to remember that any image published on social networks is available; It is public and it is likely that one day someone will find it. As we’ve seen from some public figures lately, texting or posting images can come back to haunt you.

What can you do as a parent?

Talk to your teenager about posting photos. Be on the lookout for 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 searching for them on social media or even googling someone.

Have family rules and guidelines. Discuss as a family what is appropriate and what is not. Discuss the safety and security issues related to publishing information and images. This is a great way to open the doors of communication with a general discussion.