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Prompt: Exploring the phenomenon of selfie addiction among the youth
I. Detailed outline
II. Sample essay
Dissecting the obsession with selfie-taking among the younger generation
Tips Crafting a persuasive essay on societal issues
I. Discourse Outline on the phenomenon of selfie addiction among the youth (Standard)
1. Introduction
- In life, everyone harbors desires to express themselves, to assert themselves in front of society, before the world.
- The explosion of the internet, especially major social networks like Facebook, Zalo, Instagram, has directed individuals, particularly the younger generation, towards a peculiar expression of the 'self,' sometimes even leading to its misuse - the addiction to taking selfies.
b. Main Body
* Explaining the concept:
- Selfie-taking, also known as self-photography, involves using personal cameras or phones to capture close-up images of oneself and then sharing them online,...(Continued)
>> See the detailed outline Discourse on the phenomenon of selfie addiction among the youth here.
II. Sample essay on the phenomenon of selfie addiction among the youth (Standard)
In life, everyone holds the desire to express themselves, to affirm themselves before society, before the world. Each person has a unique way of expressing their 'self.' Artists often do it through their works, ordinary people through their activities, thoughts, and personal views when interacting with others in society. While this is entirely normal and holds positive values, the explosion of the internet, especially major social networks like Facebook, Zalo, Instagram, has directed individuals, particularly the younger generation, towards a peculiar expression of the 'self,' sometimes even leading to its misuse - the addiction to taking selfies.
It must be affirmed that taking photos is a delightful and interesting hobby, with an artistic inclination, enabling individuals to explore new creativity. Simultaneously, photography helps capture memorable moments in life. Selfie-taking, also known as self-photography, involves using personal cameras or mobile phones to capture close-up images of oneself and then sharing them online, aiming to attract attention and interaction from others, as a way to express one's personality.
There's nothing to discuss or criticize if, occasionally, we take a few joyful shots with friends, especially when there's no one else to take a photo or to relieve stress after long hours of work or study. However, it becomes a concern when the act of 'addiction' to taking selfies reaches the point of spending hours taking a single photo, meticulously editing it by removing blemishes, brightening, adjusting colors, etc. Afterward, one becomes obsessed with waiting for every like, heart, or comment, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. Many young people, after posting a picture, go to great lengths to persuade family and friends to view, like, and interact to prevent the photo from being 'lost,' all in the pursuit of garnering more attention.
Even more detrimental is when individuals addicted to taking selfies no longer care about appropriateness or the impact of their actions. From funerals to traffic accident scenes, chaotic fire scenes, classrooms to parks, hospitals, cemeteries, and even highways – they take selfies everywhere. Unaware that their exuberance and madness may evoke pain in others and, in some cases, pose unforeseeable dangers.
There are many factors leading to the 'addiction' of selfie-taking among the youth. Primarily, it stems from immature and insufficiently matured perceptions. It's the desire to stand out, to show off, and the craving to express one's 'self' quickly and effortlessly. Moreover, selfie-taking has become a trend, a widespread movement, spreading from one person to another - what people call a hot trend. Failing to keep up might be deemed outdated, out of fashion, and even ridiculed as 'old-fashioned.' Such external pressures can easily sway the minds of many young people, pushing them into trends without discerning the potential harm. A study also indicates that 'selfie' addiction is a psychological disorder originating from insecurities about physical appearance, driving people to obsessively take and meticulously edit photos to achieve perceived perfection. It creates anxiety and fear of criticism from others, leading to a lack of confidence in communication, resorting to proving oneself through photos. This behavior can be seen as a mild form of obsessive-compulsive disorder.
We often think that getting 'addicted' to selfie-taking is a minor issue, not worth discussing or debating. However, the consequences it brings are significant, and sometimes unexpected, extreme, and dangerous. Firstly, the youth, not yet fully matured, tend to believe in praises and flattery from online acquaintances. They develop illusions about their self-worth, convinced that they are genuinely beautiful and talented, and that the compliments they receive are sincere. This can easily lead to discouragement, disillusionment, self-doubt, depression, and even, in severe cases, suicide. Derogatory remarks can have a negative impact on our mental state, leading to negative thoughts, a lack of self-belief, thoughtless actions, and, most critically, deviations from life values, abandoning family responsibilities, and real values to immerse oneself in the virtual world.
Taking selfies, editing photos, and monitoring social media interactions also waste a significant amount of time. Young people focus solely on their phones, lifeless computers, immersed in the virtual world, forgetting the reality in front of them. They live in apathy, devoid of emotion, neglecting to nurture family and friendships. Moreover, they easily overlook opportunities, wonderful things that come from the outside world, failing to invest time and effort in personal development, resulting in a lack of life experience and difficulties in building a future. Besides taking selfies everywhere, even in inappropriate places, causing discomfort and disgust to those around them, hindering work, and causing trouble for those involved. Sometimes, personal photos posted online turn individuals into attractive targets for cybercriminals who specialize in manipulating and editing photos to tarnish reputations, extort money, or push individuals into dangerous situations. In the era of Industry 4.0, encountering and extracting information from the internet through electronic devices has become familiar and useful. However, each of us needs awareness to use it appropriately, avoid misuse, especially the obsession with the virtual world, forgetting real values, losing the beauties of life, trapping individuals in an unreal, pointless world.
Finally, young individuals, especially students, need to clearly recognize the desire to express their personal identity and showcase their individuality, an inherent instinct of human beings. It is not something negative or ugly; rather, it is the motivation that drives people to strive relentlessly in life. However, we must choose how to express it appropriately, relying on real values and our inherent capabilities, rather than taking daily selfies and considering that as success and pride. Such thinking is extremely shallow and juvenile.
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The emergence of social media facilitates human interaction and the rapid, convenient sharing of information and emotions. However, alongside the positive aspects, certain limitations persist. Explore this issue further by reading about it alongside the discussion on the phenomenon of selfie addiction among young people. Additional topics include a discourse on the phenomenon of keyboard warriors on social media, a social discourse on the current issues of charity on social media, and a social discourse examining how Facebook serves as a double-edged sword for the youth.
