Selfies no big deal at East

 The majority of Morton East students don’t take at least one selfie a day.   

In a random survey of 103 Morton East students, 70 students reported not taking a selfie at least once a day. The taking of selfies is a self-oriented action that allows users to establish their individuality and self-importance. The average 16- to 25-year-old woman spent 16 minutes taking an average of three selfies per day, or five hours a week. Although men don’t take as many selfies as women, men who post selfies are more likely to be narcissistic or psychopathic. Some might see selfies as a good thing, but there is a mental disorder called selfitis, which states that “the obsessive-compulsive desire to take photos of one’s self and post them on social media as a way to make up for the lack of self-esteem and to fill a gap in intimacy.”  

“Selfies are a big part of our generation now. Everywhere I go, I see people taking selfies.” Alexandra, an anonymous sophomore, said. 

Students had various opinions on selfies.   

“I think social media has influenced the taking of selfies because you go on Facebook or Snapchat and all you see are selfies.” senior, Melanie Moran said.   

Not only do students think selfies are taking over, but teachers see it too.   

“I have one student who spends more time taking selfies than she does anything else in class,” journalism teacher Mr. Frankfother said.   

But some teachers also think that selfies are more than just taking a photo.  

“(Selfies) Make you more self-observed and make it seem like you are more full of yourself,” English teacher Mrs. Cortes said.   

And, do selfies really capture the real you? Some say they don’t.  

“(Selfies change you) More physically because of angles, as a person it makes you more self-observed,” English teacher Mrs. Cortes said.