The Impact of Selfies and Smartphone Culture on Social Behavior
Selfies taken at St Peter’s Basilica alongside the corpse of Pope Francis have sparked international criticism, showcasing how smartphones have disrupted social norms and public behavior. The rise of selfie culture reflects human nature's impulse to document and share experiences. The solution may lie in a combination of rules, legislation, and social stigma to reinvent social etiquette for the mobile phone era.
Key Points
- Selfies reflect the age-old impulse to document and share experiences.
- Smartphones have transformed public spaces, often leading to disruptive behavior.
- Reinventing social etiquette for the mobile phone era may require a combination of rules, legislation, and social stigma.
Pros
- Smartphones offer numerous benefits such as digital maps, online resources, and remote working.
Cons
- Selfies at inappropriate locations like St Peter’s Basilica can be disrespectful and provoke international criticism.
- Smartphones have disrupted social norms and public behavior, leading to anti-social actions like playing loud music in public spaces.