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Manila Bulletin devider Technews devider Ready, set, selfie

Ready, set, selfie

Strike a pose this National Selfie Day; just keep it classy.

Published Jun 20, 2025 11:34 pm
How many selfies do you have on your phone? And among these photos, how many actually abide by a certain set of reasonable rules? Wait, what? Rules? While selfies are ultimately about just the person in the photo — you — some shots may reveal this is not the case.
For starters, any image posted online should be appropriate and respectful in all aspects. It’s one thing to be great at capturing moments and another to be following certain selfie etiquette. Keep these in mind the next time you take a selfie and, more importantly, when you share it online.
Check your surroundings. Selfies can be taken from just about everywhere, so make sure your background does not show anything inappropriate. People and information can inevitably (though inadvertently) included if you are taking photos in places like hospitals or airplanes. Even if a spot provides the best lighting for a selfie, clear your background of anything untoward or anyone who should not be in the photo before uploading it. When traveling, be mindful of signs in cultural or religious sites where selfies or photos are prohibited.
Accidents and emergencies. It’s not advisable to mark yourself safe or prove that you have witnessed an accident through a selfie. Photos taken with a property on fire or flood water rising behind you is not the safest thing to do. Avoid putting yourself at risk. While we are at it, selfies with road accidents or people hurt are also not acceptable. Can you help those in need? Ask yourself what your selfie truly contributes to the situation. And keep in mind that the people involved may want to keep certain incidents confidential, too.
Unlimited selfies. Selfies are snapshots of moments, not minutes — and especially not an hour. Capturing the perfect selfie is hard to do but is not the goal of our lives. So, take a few and be content. You can try again – preferably the next day. But do not be obsessed and take 100 photos of yourself in 15 minutes.
Excessive filters. The primary purpose of photo filters and similar apps is to enhance or add effects to images. Do not take filters too far that you appear too altered or artificial. Know your boundaries when it comes to filters. The last thing you want online are unnatural or cartoonish photos of yourself being forever there. The internet remembers, after all.
Selfie truths and untruths. Do not put on gym clothes, go to the gym, take selfies, and leave. Work out – that’s what gyms are for.
Getting consent. Selfies with other people are a must for Filipinos, especially if they are with celebrities or persons we have not seen for some time. Ask permission not only for a photo with them but also to post it. Even our non-celeb friends may not want the world to know where they went on vacation.
Be mindful. A good spot is always inviting for a selfie. However, other people may want to take a shot from the same vantage point, too. Take a couple of shots and let others enjoy the moment, too. Don’t hog the spot.
Not worth your life. Wanting to get a selfie has caused harm and death, unfortunately, for some people. According to the Telegraph, 480 lives have been lost since 2008 due to selfie-taking. Be rational no matter how unforgettable a place and a moment will be. A selfie is not worth your life.
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