If you didn’t think duckface selfies or selfies at funerals were bad enough, meet the new teen selfie trend: selfies with homeless people. This tacky trend has even got its own tumblr.
It’s exactly what you think it is: kids posing with seemingly unaware and non-consenting homeless people. They get up close and personal with their new homeless photo friend.
Until it ends and those who participate realize how dehumanizing this is, let's use the trend for good. One page suggests that people donate to charities for the homeless when they see these shameless selfies instead of just getting annoyed.
Don’t mock the homeless with this tacky trend. Instead, lets get angry together about the issue of homelessness; angry enough to want to help change it!
Shameless Selfie Hashtags
'Selfies with Homeless' is an Extremely Disappointing Instagram Fad
Trend Themes
1. Anti-shaming Selfie Movement - Opportunity to create a movement or platform that encourages taking selfies with marginalized individuals to promote social inclusion and reduce stigma.
2. Charitable Hashtagging - Opportunity to create a viral hashtag that encourages people to donate to a specific charity whenever they see a selfie with a homeless individual posted on social media.
3. Homeless-inclusive Marketing - Opportunity for brands to feature homeless individuals in their marketing campaigns in a respectful and empowering way, highlighting their stories or initiatives that help support their communities.
Industry Implications
1. Social Media - SEE ABOVE
2. Nonprofit/charity - Opportunity for nonprofits to capitalize on the viral trend to increase visibility and donations.
3. Advertising/marketing - Opportunity for brands to take on a more socially conscious approach to their marketing campaigns and authentic representation of individuals of all backgrounds.