Towards a theoretical understanding of the selfie: A descriptive review

Abstract Over the past 2 decades or so, the triple digital revolution—social network, Internet, and mobile phone—has increased the use and popularity of the “selfie.” Within social sciences, the phenomenon of the selfie has been examined as a new culture that shapes human self‐presentation, social relationships, and social consumptions. This article provides an overview of the most common theoretical approaches that have been used by researchers to understand the phenomenon of the selfie. In particular, the article focuses on the use of the following frameworks: dramaturgic lens, sociosemiotic approach, and dialectical framework. In addition to these approaches, this article also introduces some preliminary ideas relating to the possibility of exploring the selfie through the lens of mediatization theory. This is based on the argument that the selfie phenomenon operates within media logic as it offers symbolic resources, discursive strategies, communicative messages, and performance tactics that shape and transform the presentation of self, social interaction, and social order.