In the past year, there has been a significant increase in head lice infestations among teens, and head lice removal experts are coming to the conclusion that it is because of the front camera on cellphones.

“Lice are tiny, wingless, parasitic insects that feed on your blood,” according to a report published by the Mayo Clinic. “Lice are easily spread, especially by schoolchildren, through close personal contact and by sharing belongings.” Lice are just downright repulsive. Do you really want them on your head?

I know that it sounds crazy, but just think about it for a second. When you take a selfie with a big group of people, you put your heads together. Even if you take the picture with your friends, you need to be cautious, because who knows what kind of noisome, annoying, creeper is crawling on the heads of the people around you.

Don’t think for one second that I’m a perpetrator of taking unsafe selfies. When someone is taking a selfie, you immediately want to get in it, and are even willing to fight for a good position in the picture. Once at a football game, a stranger was taking a selfie with the entire section and everyone stood up and bustled for a spot, including me. Only God knows how many heads touched mine.

“I’d definitely be grossed out,” said senior Leanna Latanision. “I wouldn’t take anymore selfies. My sister had lice twice and I wouldn’t want someone looking through my hair to look for lice constantly or having to use special shampoo!”

“Well in third grade no one talked to me for a month because I got lice, and years afterwards I’m still known as “bug hair” by my friends sometimes. I guess now that I’m aware of it I’ll only take selfies with people I know don’t have lice,” said sophomore Shannon Tabor.

However, girls aren’t the only ones who are affected by this pandemic. “That’s gross so I would stop,” said sophomore Will Morton

“That’s good because I’ll never get lice!” said sophomore Marty Anderson.

In conclusion, be abstinent, and practice safe selfies. “You can only take selfies with bald people,” said Pre-AP English 10 teacher Elizabeth Barniskis.

The goal of this article is not to make you so paranoid that you keep a hairnet on you at all times, but it is to inform you.

Hey does your head itch?