The Selfie Debate

Selfie Debate Overview:

On day one, our 11th grade English students argued for the value of selfies, referencing Jay Wortham's view that they can be seen as visual diaries. Presenters emphasized the selfie's role in capturing special moments, providing comfort, and expressing personality. Students also shared anecdotal evidence, such as using selfies to remember loved ones and artistic selfies as a form of self-expression. They argued against the notion of selfies as a sad form of exhibitionism, citing examples of dehumanizing social media posts to contrast with the humanizing effects of selfies. 

Student quotes:

"While some people may take selfies for exhibitionist reasons, it doesn’t have to be that way. Most people are sharing and recording their lives as a diary and also finding friends on social media."

"Selfies are humanizing because they bring comfort and make people confident. They have a positive effect on individuals and society."

"Because we're living in the age of technology, I believe taking selfies can also provide very real evidence of how our generation has lived."

Day two centered on the negative implications of selfies. Key points included selfies promoting superficiality, eroding privacy, and fostering narcissism. It was noted that selfies often distort reality due to filters and editing. Ms. Lehman added the potential claim that selfies can negatively impact mental health and self-esteem, citing a rise in teen suicides linked to social media. Evidence and justification was used to support the argument that while selfies document existence, they can lead to detrimental outcomes.

Student quotes:

"Selfies distort reality. People often use filters or edit their selfies to look better or best, and it destroys reality and creates unrealistic expectations."

"Selfies erode privacy. You take a selfie of yourself and then post it on social media, which gives away a lot to the public—how you look, where you are, and even what you like."

"Selfies contribute to narcissism. A lot of people get addicted to the amount of likes and comments they receive. They become more obsessed with their self-image as seen by others instead of focusing on their true selves."