We already know how dangerous selfie taking can be in extreme circumstances, as there have been multiple selfie-related deaths in the last few years.
And now, there’s an additional worry – that selfies could trigger seizures in teenagers with epilepsy.
A new study, published in medical journal Seizure, found a ‘novel case of photosensitivity’ occurred when taking selfies.
Photosensitivity occurs in a small number of those with epilepsy, and can cause them to have seizures when exposed to flashing, flickering, or shimmering lights.
Seizures can also be triggered by particular screen resolutions on TVs or computers.
The discovery occurred during a three-day EEG trial involving a teenage girl.
Researchers noticed that “bursts of activity” on the brain monitor occurred when the girl took selfies – activity that is normally associated with an epileptic seizure.
Researchers have narrowed the phenomenon down to two potential causes – the flashing light of a phone camera, or the pulsing LED light designed to get rid of red eye.
“There’s a lot of data already about selfies being potentially dangerous in some circumstances because people don’t think,” said Dr. Paula Brna, lead author of the study.
The study only involved one patient, though; and more work will have to be conducted in order to see if it has wider relevance.
Commenting on the study, one reader wrote: “One participant for the study? Yeah, that is real evidence.
“She should take a look at Instagram to see her findings would not be significant if she runs a large sample. In fact, if her findings were significant, Instagram would die out.”