The article Selfies as Social Movements argues that selfies can function as tools of identity, representation, and resistance rather than mere vanity. As the authors state, selfies “have the potential to give a face to the social issues experienced by marginalized groups” (Liu et al., 2017, p. 1). In this sense, selfies operate as narratives of representation, allowing individuals to construct and communicate their identities in public digital spaces.
A strong example of this can be observed in South Korea’s Escape the Corset movement. In 2018, women began sharing selfies and videos of themselves rejecting beauty norms by cutting their hair short and destroying makeup products (The Guardian, 2018). These practices demonstrate how selfies can function as sites of production, where individuals actively reshape dominant representations of femininity. As Liu et al. (2017, p. 1-2) explain, identity hashtag movements “use personal identities to shape and reclaim the broader public image of a marginalized group.”
However, these forms of participation are not without risk. Liu et al. (2017, p. 1) note that sharing identifiable content online creates “ambiguity about the boundaries of the collective” and raises concerns about how one is perceived by others. Similarly, the Escape the Corset movement has faced backlash, where even the term “feminism” has taken on negative connotations in South Korea (The Guardian, 2018). This suggests that while selfies can empower individuals, they can also expose them to criticism and social consequences.
Liu et al. (2017, p. 3) suggest that these movements may influence participants but have limited effectiveness in transforming wider societal stereotypes. I agree with this perspective, as the broader societal impact of such movements can indeed be difficult to measure and may remain limited. At the same time, however, their significance should not be overlooked. I believe that raising awareness, even among a small group of people, can be considered a meaningful step toward social change. In this sense, the value of such movements lies not only in large-scale transformation but also in their ability to initiate reflection and dialogue. Therefore, selfies can be understood as both empowering and constrained forms of digital activism, while still holding potential for gradual and cumulative change.
The Guardian. (2024, November 15). As 4B takes the world by storm, South Korea is grappling with a backlash against feminism. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/nov/15/4b-south-korea-feminist-movement-donald-trump-election-backlash
Liu, F., Ford, D., Parnin, C., & Dabbish, L. (2017). Selfies as social movements: Influences on participation and perceived impact on stereotypes. Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction, 1(CSCW), Article 72.
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