Self

Does Your Selfie Obsession Mean You're Narcissistic? [VIDEO]

In today's age of finger-tip technology and social media, oversharing has pretty much become the norm. It almost seems as if you can't go online without being bombarded with "too much information" in people's status updates and photos.  

You know who we're talking about—those dreaded friends who love updating their followers with their lunch and dinner menu topped off with a selfie for desert.

With so many people littering our Facebook and Instagram newsfeed with their amature photography, it leaves us with this question: Is taking photos of yourself actually a sign of narcissism?

According to psychologist and Expert Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, the answer isn't as black and white as you might think.

Here's the deal, despite popular belief, snapping a selfie doesn't always mean that you're cocky or self-absorbed. In fact the opposite is true in many situations.  As Dr. Holstein points out, taking selfies can actually benefit our self-esteem and self-confidence when it's done in a healthy environment and when done in moderation.

But don't just take our word for it. There are plenty of scientific studies with research that backs up the benefits of the selfie.

In fact, Psychology Today supports Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein's point by stating that "We learn about people by accumulating information over time.  Our understanding of everything, include other people, is a synthesis of all the things we know about them."

They even went on to say that "by offering different aspects through images, we are sharing more of ourselves, becoming more authentic and transparent—things that digital connectivity encourages."

Parents, if you're worried that selfies will negatively impact your child, think about it like this: Your kids' love of taking pictures with their friends isn't the problem; if they're seriously obsessed with social media (and their phones), THAT is when it becomes a major issue.

Curious how your selfie habit stacks up?  From our vantage point, as long as you're keeping your basic clothing on and not posting them every single day, you're probably fine.  But if you're worried, watch the video and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments.