Selfie Addicts have Low Self-esteem: Study

'Selfie' addiction indicates poor self-image, according to a study.

Self clicking images to post the best ones on Facebook and social media is a habit of youngsters and those who are heavily dependent on smart phones and cameras. But, obsession of taking pictures to get comments and likes can be a cry for help, suggests a new study. A recent survey conducted by the mobile app called Voucher Cloud involved over 2,000 men and women aged between 18 and 30. The participants were interviewed if they loved taking selfies or clicking images of pets, family friends and partners, reports the Business Standard.

 Nearly 39 percent said they loved clicking their own pictures and about 60 percent of selfie lovers were found to have low self-esteem. The subjects confessed having prudish inhibition and insecurities  about their physical attributes, looks and relationships.  They would resort to clicking selfies and choose the best pictures to upload on Facebook and twitter to gain attention.  In addition, the researchers noted 45 percent of the participants would post the selfies on profiles in dating websites and 32 percent used them on personal blogs and online journals.

More than half of youngsters said they clicked selfies at least once a week and 73 percent of these photographs were shared on social media platforms.

The results revealed only 13 percent of the respondents were confident about personal life, relations and appearances.

"What is important to remember is that a selfie is subject to lighting, Photoshop and a whole host of other factors, so often people actually look very little like they do in real life. Equally, for the selfie addicts, it is important to make sure that they don't base all their self-esteem on a few comments or likes on a picture - there's a lot more to a person than their selfie," said Matthew Wood, study author and researcher from the Voucher Cloud, reports the Free Press Journal.