Should You Take that Selfie? A Guide for Teens.
LatestAnother teen has become an object of public ridicule, after making a dire selfie-related error in judgement. Teens, PLEASE make better selfie choices.
The Daily Mail reports that the latest living example to her fellow teens is Breanna Mitchell, who posted a grinning selfie taken at Auschwitz, complete with pink-cheeked smiling emoji. As viral rage-bait, it couldn’t be more perfect if it had been scientifically engineered in a lab. Now that the photo has escalated into an Internet shitstorm, she says she studied the Holocaust with her recently deceased father, and she was just happy to be making the trip in his honor. But follow-ups like “I’m famous yall” (she’s since protected her tweets; see it here) haven’t helped her case in the court of public opinion.
The pile-on isn’t particularly productive, though. And God knows she’s not the first—there’s an entire Tumblr devoted to selfies taken at serious (and seriously inappropriate) spots. So rather than schooling this particular child, I would like to offer the following guide for teenagers considering taking selfies. As a public service. LISTEN UP, TEENS:
Are you hanging out with your friends, having an old-fashioned good time? Yes. Take a selfie.
Are you making goofy faces, for LOLs? Yes. Take a selfie.
Are you at the site of a terrible historical tragedy, such as a concentration camp? No. Do not take a selfie. If you feel you must commemorate your visit to this specific site, RESPECTFULLY photograph something other than your smiling mug. I don’t care what arguments you want to make in your defense—unless you hit “post” with an essay-length justification, it’s just not a great look. Don’t include a fucking emoji, either.
Have you just survived a plane crash, natural disaster or attempt on your life? Yes. Take a selfie. But consider making your account private unless you want reporters pestering you for interviews.
Are you literally in the middle of an ongoing disaster or crisis? No. Do not take a selfie. Don’t risk your life or create additional problems for emergency personnel. Get to safety, then take your selfie. It’ll keep.
Are you consuming alcohol or holding weed? Of course you shouldn’t take a selfie. You know college admissions officers have the Internet too, right? Besides, that epic keg stand is not actually worthy of memorializing.