#hotissues

If you log onto YouTube and do a search for "Am I Pretty or Ugly?" videos you will get thousands of hits. This is essentially where a teenage girl spends a few minutes talking into the camera and asking you to comment on her looks. Some of the girls do it for the compliments, but others seem to do it to get confirmation of something someone has already said to them. Many girls mentioned being called "slut", "ugly", "fat", "gross", etc.. at school. 

Anyone who's been on the internet for more than five minutes knows what a selfie is...right? This is where it is acceptable to demonstrate your skills at pouty face, pucker lips, and the infamous duck face. Selfies can be fun and a great way to self-promote or laugh at ourselves. Who doesn't want a chance to show themselves looking their best.......don't we all have friends who've tagged us on Facebook photos where we don't look so great? 

Be prepared. If you're going to post pictures of yourself then you are opening yourself up for criticism and/or bullying. Haters love to hate! Before you hit the post button, ask yourself the following:

What does this picture say about me?

Would I be embarrassed if this picture circulated around my school?

Could I show this picture to my parents/teacher/brother without them being upset?

Do I want to give anyone access to my photos, or just my friends?

Selfies can be great. I personally don't take them. I'm not photogenic and I'd rather photograph other people. Critics of selfies can be a little hypocritical considering their desire to share photos of every burp, fart, step, and gurgle their child makes.