Capturing Connections: How Selfies Are Building Community and Well-being in the Classroom
Be sure to check out the suggested Huddle question at the bottom of this article to discuss this important topic with your students in class, if you feel it is appropriate.
On average, about 92 million selfies are taken daily, and an individual may snap around 25,700 selfies in their lifetime. While this number may seem like a lot, students are using the role of selfies as more than just memories. In fact, Howard University Sophomore Kelby Hughes is leveling up his selfie game to build relationships around his school’s campus.
Howard University sophomore Kelby Hughes is using selfies to build relationships. Using Instagram to document his encounters with other students, he has gained a following of several thousand. His authentic approach to selfies makes him stand out from other creators. His Instagram is about candid moments, capturing his day as he sees it. Each selfie isn’t just a photo; it’s a chance to make a new friend. As Hughes’ selfie movement grows, his posts are becoming a source of inspiration for students and educators, teaching the value of authenticity.
Friendships and Selfies
In today’s day and age, many posts on social media are carefully curated and edited before hitting the feed. Around 81% of users on Facebook and Instagram report editing selfies before posting them. Kelby Hughes takes a different approach because he usually doesn’t edit his selfies. In many ways, his profile relies on the idea of being authentic. He uses selfies to document his experiences with others when he moves through his day. On some days, his Instagram could include a photo of friends out at lunch. On other days, his Instagram could feature a selfie of him and his teacher. This type of variety is what builds community and friendships.
In an educational setting, this type of community is essential. Around 80% of teens aged 13-17 say that social media and photographs make them feel more connected to their peers. When students feel connected, they are communicating more with one another. This, in turn, can make the educational experience even better. It’s like a glue that binds them together. Imagine scrolling through your feed and seeing a classmate’s photo from a school event or a project they’re working on. It creates a shared experience, making everyone feel part of something bigger.
As Hughes shows us, posting content to social media isn’t just about getting likes and comments. For him, it’s more about creating a close-knit community where everyone’s different experiences add to a larger story of their school’s and classmates’ experiences. So, whether it’s a picture from a study session with friends or a selfie at a school assembly, taking selfies can help make a friendly environment where students can learn, develop, and share their points of view. And it’s not just for students. As Hughes also features his professors, his account is also about connecting with educators and helping them develop a greater sense of understanding with their students.
The Selfie and Self-Confidence
Kelby Hughes shows how platforms like Instagram can be powerful in creating and strengthening connections within a university community. In a world where many focus on perfection, Hughes stands out by making authenticity and inclusivity important in his online presence. With social media’s ability to connect people worldwide, students can showcase their individuality and find communities with like-minded individuals. This has led to a generation reflecting the beauty of diversity more and more.
A study by the Pew Research Center confirms this. According to the survey, 80% of teens (aged 13-17) feel that social media has allowed them to feel more connected to what is going on in their friends’ lives. 71% of reporting teens thought they had a place to show their creative side on social media. 58% of teens felt that social media allows them to feel more accepted. Given this information, it’s clear that educators can play a powerful role in empowering students to use social media as a way to express themselves and discover who they want to be.
Here are some ways educators can help students master the art of the selfie:
In a landscape that often emphasizes perfection, students can redefine the purpose of their selfies by embracing authenticity. As Hughes shows us, the potential of a simple selfie can be limitless. If you are an educator encouraging students to build community through social media, similar to how Hughes is using the power of the selfie, empower your students with these tips:
- Emphasize Storytelling: Encourage students to embrace the authenticity of their daily experiences on social media.
- Focus on Community Engagement & Social Media: Students may use selfies to build and strengthen community among peers. Documenting encounters and experiences creates a shared narrative that forms online and offline connections.
- Empower Self-Expression: Empower students to recognize their posts’ potential to enhance self-confidence and expression. By recognizing that culture on the internet doesn’t have to be curated and uniform, students are reminded that they have the option to express themselves authentically more than ever!
Getting into selfies isn’t just about pictures—it’s a way for students to tell authentic stories and connect with others. Platforms like Instagram can boost confidence and let students celebrate what makes them unique. Learning how selfies convey emotions helps students express themselves and connect meaningfully. Learn more about the role of social media in students’ lives and how it can fuel their health, happiness, and future happiness here.
#WinAtSocial Huddle Question
Huddle with your students
Some people love to take selfies. They take them to send a smile to a friend, share a new favorite outfit, or show off a really cool view. Others like to stay behind the camera. No matter how you decide to connect and share with friends and family, what are some of your favorite things to share that show off who you are?
The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in empowering students by understanding students. Through #WinAtSocial, our gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform, we equip students, educators, and families to navigate their social world – in the classroom and beyond, online and offline – in healthy, high-character ways. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips, rather than scares and restricts. We incorporate timely topics about social media, tech use, and current events that are impacting student well-being and learning. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach life skills for the modern day, capture student voice, and provide school leaders with actionable insights. Through these insights, students play an essential role in school efforts to support their own health, happiness, and future success as we enable high-impact teaching, meaningful family conversations, and a healthy school culture.