It seems that the millennial generation has become not only social media generation but also the generation of viral online nominating. The hashtag, bold typed nominations are not an unusual sight anymore on Facebook and Twitter as it takes the place of the nineties babies' chain letter. However one must question the repercussions of this new viral trend as it continues to dominate social networks.
The Good
It is true that reports often focus on the negative side to online nominations, peer pressure, promoting inappropriate behaviour and causing more harm than good. However many people opposed to the initial trend chose to use this viral sensation to promote better behaviours and attitudes. Femnominations are an example of this as it calls for a celebration of women throughout history. This idea is great, but does it not sum up society today when we have to create an interest in successful women?
The Bad
This trend all seemed to begin with neck nominations, an aspect of this trend already scrutinised by the media as young people lost their lives in attempts to out-do each other in outrageous drinking feats. Starting in Australia, this dangerous chain game of 'necking' an often disgusting concoction of alcohol, food stuffs and bodily fluids spread faster than the common cold across the world. For what purpose? The easiest answer is boredom. Young people are bored, binge drinking is no longer daring or fun anymore, it has become commonplace. The sheer giddiness of being drunk has lost its novelty and a new method of intoxication is needed.
The Ugly?
So we come to the newest of nomination trends, which is already old; the no makeup selfie to raise money for Breast Cancer Research. I myself have participated in this, but I still cannot deny the negative connotations that women and young girls are putting on themselves by doing this. What does it say about our self-image when it is considered brave and noteworthy to publicise our 'naked' faces to the world? Are we shaming those who don't wear make-up on a daily basis or those who are not ashamed of their natural face?
My own mother lost her fight to cancer when I was thirteen and she was beautiful, even when she had lost everything that society deemed to be an integral part of beauty. It is true that this new nomination craze has raised an extraordinary amount of money, but one should not be promoting the message that a face without make-up is a supposedly wrong and humiliating act for a woman. This trend should not hinder the current struggle our society faces towards positive self-image and self-acceptance. Some amazing people have joined the craze using it in innovative, inspiring and positive ways and this is in no way a condemnation of no make-up selfies. This is merely a remark that the next #nomination should be all-inclusive and inspire its participants to be positive and proud.