This constant comparison can wreak havoc on body image and self-esteem. Not only are they comparing their appearance to “perfect” images of celebrities and peers, they’re judging themselves against their own filtered selfies. Research shows that young adults who frequently use filters on social media often have increased feelings of dissatisfaction with their actual face and body. Research conducted by the Dove Self- Esteem Project in 2020 found that 80 percent of girls have downloaded a filter or used an app to change the way they look in photos by age 13.Īnother link between filters and mental health is the negative impact on body image. Moreover, these feelings and behaviors start early. The researchers stated, “Young women told us that these standards are ‘unattainable’ and ‘toxic’ and that they are wearing them down and making them unhappy.” In addition, young people with low self-esteem and poor body image are more likely to use filters, further reinforcing the negative belief that their appearance isn’t good enough.

86 percent said their social media representations did not reflect their real life.

70 percent felt pressure to showcase a “perfect life”.94 percent of participants said they felt under pressure to look a particular way, and more than half of those said the pressure was intense.Looking at the association between filters and mental health, the study found the following statistics on the negative effects of filters: It is hard to overstate the palpable sense of pressure they conveyed.” Study author Rosalind Gill, Professor of Social and Cultural AnalysisĬity University of London The Negative Effects of Filters “Young women told us they feel under considerable pressure to present themselves as fun, happy and sociable-as well as effortlessly beautiful-reflecting the ways that appearance pressures have extended into presenting ‘a perfect self.’ They reflected self-critically on every aspect of themselves, including their clothes, shoes, style and looks, and often worried that they might ‘bring friends down’ in a group shot. Meta reports that more than 600 million people have used an AR effect on Facebook or Instagram. According to Snapchat, more than 90 percent of young people in the United States, France, and the UK use AR products on the app. Sometimes referred to as AR (augmented reality), filters on social media have become increasingly popular. For example, the TikTok “skinny filter” makes a face look slimmer, while Instagram’s “perfect face filter” adjusts facial features according to a supposedly ideal ratio. What Is a Social Media Filter?Īppearance-altering filters on social media, also known as beauty filters, are photo editing tools that use artificial intelligence and computer vision to change facial features. The further our filtered selfies get from how we really look, the worse we feel about ourselves. And while it’s slowly becoming more accepted to talk about “not being okay” on social media, we’re still supposed to look good while talking about it. But research on filters and mental health reveals that filtering actually depletes self-esteem and distorts body image. It’s a natural impulse to want to present ourselves in the best light. How could there be anything wrong with that? Who doesn’t want whiter teeth, brighter skin, more symmetrical features? Social media filters let us have that and more, so we can keep up with all the other filter-using selfie-takers in our feeds.

If you answered yes to that question, you’re not alone. Do You Use a Filter Every Time You Post? Reading Time: 6 minutes

Perfect face filter on instagram