Why Video Chats Are Making Us More Self-Conscious

The boom in video chats has led (sadly) to a boom in cosmetic surgery.

Why?

Because unlike face to face meetings, we spend at least 20% of our time in video meetings looking at our own image. If you don’t believe me, check out how often your eyes scan over your image during your next video chat.

Why do we do this?

First, because it’s normal. Who is the first person you look at when someone shows you a group photo? You, of course. That’s because our powers of attention have evolved to automatically pay attention to any information about ourselves.

Second, there are plenty of perfectly rational reasons for checking our image on a chat. We need to make sure that we’re in the camera frame, we’re not too close or far away, the lighting and angle are OK, and that we are displaying appropriate facial expressions etc.

All this staring at our own image taxes our eyes and concentration and fosters self-consciousness.

So whenever you can – and especially when you are meeting one on one with someone you already know well – switch your video chats to phone calls.