Narcissism Not The Only Risk Posed By Selfie Sticks

From the introduction of virtual reality to wearable biomonitoring devices, 2015 is shaping up to be an important year for technological advancement. However, alongside this year’s cutting-edge devices is one impossible-to-ignore trend that has swept social media in recent months— the selfie stick.

Don’t Forget Your Selfie Stick

Love them or hate them, selfie sticks are quickly becoming a must-have travel accessory in order to snap solo shots in front of landmark locations. Initially developed by extreme sports enthusiasts who wanted a better angle with which to shoot action photos and videos, demand for the long sticks that connect to a user’s smartphone in order to snap a selfie is rising.  Even this year’s Grammy awards featured a “selfie stick booth” sponsored by Mashable which allowed celebrities to take photos of themselves using bejeweled selfie sticks. 

Social Media Spurs On Selfies

The rising popularity of photo sharing on social media is largely responsible for the growing trend. Sites like SnapChat and Twitter Inc. TWTR cater to the solo shots’ growing notoriety, making selfie sticks a valuable addition for those looking for a better angle. 

Selfie Sticks Prove Dangerous

Not everyone is on board with the sticks, though. Several major attractions around the world are banning the sticks, citing concern about property damage and security. The Getty Center in Los Angeles no longer allows selfie sticks on the premises, saying that there is too high a chance of damage to the artwork. In the UK, several football clubs including Arsenal and the Tottenham Hotspurs banned the sticks, fearing that they could be used as weapons and compromise public safety.