Posting selfies puts teens at risk of low self-confidence

CHILDREN and teenagers are publishing pictures of themselves on sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in a bid for approval from their peers, who can “like” or comment on the images. But when they fail to attract the desired attention or approval, this can damage their selfconfidence.

Ever more “selfies” are being posted, and experts have suggested that children are developing “inappropriate self-awareness at a much earlier age”.

Dr Jessamy Hibberd, a clinical psychologist, said: “Images are a way for young people to seek approval and attention from their peers. However, they can also lead to cyber-bullying and issues with self-confidence.

“The majority of teens post the photos in search of assurance and compliments, but they are also making themselves vulnerable to negative comments and abuse. It is all about comparison, and young people are using social media to measure themselves against others.

“If a teenager posts a picture and it does not get any ‘likes’, or if it is their birthday and they do not receive a certain number of posts, they see that as an embarrassment. It is seen as an indication that they are not popular.

“There is an expectation now among young people that they should get comments on all their posts and images.”

Although young people naturally compare themselves with their peers in everyday life, the problem had been exacerbated by sites such as Facebook, Hibberd said.

“Everyone is different, but seeking approval in this way could be damaging to the confidence of young people,” she said.

“It could warp their perception of themselves in later life.”

Social media sites have come under scrutiny recently after the suicide of British teenager Hannah Smith. She was targeted by trolls on the social networking site Ask.fm. – © The Daily Telegraph, London