The Rise of Selfitis: a 21st Century Addiction

Whether we like it or not, scrolling through one’s social media account nowadays is akin to browsing a gallery of heavily edited self-portraits. While sharing a photo of oneself occasionally to capture a moment of confidence is harmless, it becomes concerning when individuals feel compelled to constantly self-assess and broadcast their images to the world. As this behavior becomes increasingly prevalent in the 21st century, society must not ignore the compulsive selfie-taking habits of millennials and Gen Z. It needs to be treated as what it is: a new generation addiction disorder called selfitis.

The term “selfitis” was first coined in 2014 in an article falsely claiming it was a classified mental disorder by the American Psychiatric Association. Although it began as a hoax, the term sparked genuine academic interest and inspired empirical research on the topic. In 2017, psychologists Balakrishnan and Griffiths conducted a study that delved into the behaviors associated with selfitis and developed a scale to measure its severity (Balakrishnan & Griffiths, 2017). According to the Oxford Dictionary, a selfie refers to “a self-portrait photograph of oneself (or oneself with other people), taken with a camera or a camera phone held at arm’s length or pointed at a mirror, which is usually shared through social media.” Technology has played a pivotal role in the emergence of selfie culture, transforming it into a social norm.

The concept of self-portraiture dates back as far as 1839, but film costs made it a luxury limited to a few. The advent of digital cameras and smartphones democratized photography, making selfie-taking widespread. The introduction of the iPhone 4 in 2010, featuring a front-facing camera, marked the beginning of the modern selfie culture (Day, 2013). Today, 77% of the American population owns a smartphone (Pew Research Center), and major brands like Samsung incorporate features like “Beauty Face” mode, which airbrushes and slims down facial features while enlarging eyes (Shamsian, 2016). Such advancements indirectly dictate beauty standards, suggesting that enhancement is essential.

As smartphone ownership rises, so does the need for instant global connectivity. Platforms like Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram continue to expand, contributing to the pervasive nature of selfie culture. A 2018 study by Salomon and Brown found that taking and posting selfies is linked to negative self-image. The more selfies individuals take, the more self-aware they become, increasing their risk of developing negative body perceptions (Salomon & Brown, 2018).

Before uploading, many selfies undergo extensive editing. A 2017 survey by TruePic revealed that nearly two-thirds (64%) of Americans who share photos online admit to editing them before posting (Poll, 2017). Facetune, a popular photo-editing application, offers users a virtual form of plastic surgery, allowing them to modify facial features easily (Rousseau, 2017). While this may seem harmless, it promotes unrealistic beauty standards. Comparing oneself to edited images online can lower self-esteem, creating a cycle of tweaking photos for external validation.

Moreover, companies are capitalizing on this trend by introducing physical tools to support the selfie craze. Products like selfie-sticks, remote-controlled robots that track faces for perfect shots, and phone cases with built-in lights highlight the growing demand for capturing flawless images. These products, once unnecessary, are now commonplace due to the selfie phenomenon.

The convergence of technology and social media amplifies the negative aspects of selfie culture, leading to potentially severe outcomes. Consider the case of Danny Bowman, a 19-year-old who began taking selfies at 15. After a modeling agency rejection, his selfie habit spiraled into addiction. He was snapping over 200 photos daily, isolating himself for six months, losing 30 pounds, and dropping out of school in pursuit of the "perfect" selfie. His failure led to depression and a suicide attempt via overdose. Fortunately, his mother intervened, and Danny received intensive treatment for his addiction, OCD, and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (Molloy, 2014).

Danny's experience illustrates the potential severity of obsessive selfie-taking. While suicide is an extreme case, cosmetic surgery is increasingly normalized among millennials. The Kardashians, influential figures known for their cosmetic enhancements, exemplify this trend. As individuals become more conscious of their perceived "flaws," these procedures become more accessible and affordable. Although surgical risks are statistically low (Coleman, 2008), the societal obsession with superficial beauty can detrimentally affect collective intellectual and emotional well-being.

Contrary to the association with low self-esteem, some studies link selfies to narcissistic traits. Research by Buffardi and Campbell (2008) revealed connections between narcissism and selfie behavior among college students. They analyzed students' selfie frequency, poses, editing processes, and tendencies to untag themselves from group photos. Their findings indicated that a significant number of selfie-taking students exhibited narcissistic tendencies (Sukhdeep & Preksha, 2018).

The human experience of self-hatred is not new, but modern technology and social media have made self-loathing more convenient. Solutions to this complex issue remain elusive, but acknowledging the problem is a crucial first step. As advancements persist, obsessive selfie behaviors continue to grow, presenting a serious challenge. Society must address these behaviors with urgency to prevent further negative impacts on mental health and self-perception. By fostering a culture of acceptance and authentic self-expression, we can counteract the harmful effects of an increasingly digital world.

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