During these holidays, my Facebook news feed has transformed into a litany of endless photo albums. There are pictures of parties, beach vacations, families and ugly sweater parties. I see my friends with changed haircuts, doing the same old antics with new (or noticeably absent) significant others.
Inevitably, some pictures I’ve seen — mostly the ones from parties — have resulted in some less-than-flattering photos of my friends. Not surprisingly, these pictures have been detagged.
Detagging is the process of disassociating yourself with a picture on Facebook, in such a way that it is not linked to your profile in any way.
Generation Y Can Pick & Choose Memories
Forgetting about your ex has never been more convenient. Have some text messages that make your heart cringe? Delete them. Really sappy Facebook photos that you wish you never uploaded? Detag them. Does your ex’s IM status talk about their new beau? Block then delete the contact. They never existed. It’s like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, lite version.
Oh God, That’s Detag Worthy!
It’s common knowledge by now that Gen Y is narcissistic. But whenever I see it play out in real life, I’m still floored by just how obsessed we can be when it comes to our peers’ opinions and our image.
Whenever I’m at a bar or club and I see a group of Millennials snapping pictures, the same thing always happens. After someone takes a group photo, the picture-taker will automatically let the people in the picture review the photo. If someone says it is not acceptable, the picture is deleted and the pose is re-shot.
If an ugly photo ever sneaks its way onto Facebook, it is simply detagged. With privacy settings, the self-conscious have even more control about who can see what pictures.
Damage Control In the 21st Century
Can you really blame Generation Y? If Gen X-ers had an embarrassing photo, only a select few people could see it, and then any evidence could be physically destroyed. As our lives go digital, all it takes is one person to Right Click Save As and your shame can become worldwide. Extra difficulty if the incriminating digital evidence is a video.
I bet Star Wars kid would do anything to get a chance to detag.
Thanks for the pic, blythe_d.
January 2, 2009 on 5:48 am
Hi David – you’re right, there’s a massive detagging phenomenon. But I think it’s often more about other people seeing photos than just ‘ZOMG my hair looks bad’.
Most of Gen Y is in (or just coming out of) a stage when they really care about the opinion of others and when friends + family + colleagues can all see those nasty tagged photos of your holiday adventures…detagging is sometimes the only option
January 3, 2009 on 4:45 am
Teen Coach/Gen Y Guide “best of the web” this week…
Parenting Teens and Generation Y – great resources and information for you to be aware of:
Gen Y: The Selective Memory Generation
Facebook Pub
Obesity – parents killing with kindness
Parent Training Can Help Kids To Slim Down
Teen Drunk Dialing and…
January 4, 2009 on 1:01 am
I know some people who have somehow maintained a zero picture count, except for their profile pictures. I honestly don’t care if there is a goofy or less-than-perfect picture of me out there. Chances are the people I know see me that way every day. I only de-tag if something is really wrong, like my pants are riding a little low or something.
It is an interesting phenomenon, though, and a generational difference I’m sure not a lot of us have thought about.
A few months ago I got rid of a box full of pictures of two former best friends I had a falling out with more than a year ago. A few weeks later we somehow managed to come to our sense and reconnect. At first I panicked because I remembered I threw away all those photos, but then I realized they were still saved on my computer.
January 6, 2009 on 3:06 am
Days where it’s difficult to get a camera is over.
With a mobile phone, any one can capture any particular moment.
Even DSLR is more affordable now.
The only thing to do before you regret later is “think before you snap” the picture, else selective memory is only good for yourself, not the entire world around you.
January 13, 2009 on 3:26 pm
Detagging really is good for the world — and our collective self-esteem.
Just read this article about the on-going debate over whether Millenials are, in fact, “The Dumbest Generation.” Thought you guys might enjoy it (and/or be wildly offended):
http://www.youthmarketing.com/the-greater-debate/
January 16, 2009 on 3:10 pm
Why not just ask the person posting the pic of you to take it down?
I know many of my friends are in teaching positions, and when facebook comes up, either they do not have a page, or do not post pictures. I know this, so when I have pics to post, I make sure they are tasteful, and I do not tag those that do not want to be tagged. I also am sure to check the privacy settings on the album before publishing.
We ourselves need to take responsibility for not only what we post but for what our friends post. And if they are your friends, they will respect your wishes and take the photo down.
March 2, 2009 on 5:01 am
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