selfie

A selfie is a self-portrait photograph, typically taken with a digital camera or smartphone held at arm's length or with a selfie stick. Selfies are often intended for sharing on social media and may emphasize the face, a pose, or the surrounding environment.

The term "selfie" refers to the practice of taking a photo of oneself. The word is widely believed to have emerged in the early 2000s, with an attribution to an Australian online forum in 2002; it gained popular usage in the 2010s and was named the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year for 2013.

Advances in smartphone cameras and apps with front-facing lenses, timers, filters, and stabilization facilitated the spread of selfies. Social networks such as Flickr, Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat became primary platforms for sharing selfies, while accessories like selfie sticks and other mounting devices extended reach and convenience.

Selfies have been used for self-expression, documentation, journalism, and protest, but have also attracted criticism for vanity, privacy concerns, and safety risks when taken in hazardous locations or while driving. The trend has spawned variations, including group selfies (usies) and themed or candid formats that emphasize spontaneity or context.