TikTok has revealed that it will take action in response to new laws in the UK and EU by implementing a ban on beauty filters for users under 18. This ban will be enforceable globally…
The Impact of Unrealistic Images on Self-Esteem
Research indicates that social media users frequently fail to recognize that they are comparing their genuine appearances with extensively edited images, and the use of beauty filters can lead to feelings of inadequacy regarding their true looks.
Dr. Jasmine Fardouly, a body image researcher at the University of New South Wales, notes that her study from the previous year indicates that exposure to unattainable beauty standards online can be particularly detrimental to young individuals.
“It promotes an ideal of beauty that is unachievable,” she explains. “It’s impossible for anyone to look like that since everyone’s features are altered to appear the same.”
“The difficulty in identifying filters may exacerbate the promotion of these unrealistic ideals.”
TikTok’s Ban on Beauty Filters
The Guardian has reported that TikTok will prohibit beauty filters for users aged 13 to 17.
In the upcoming weeks, users under 18 will be restricted from making their eyes appear larger, enhancing their lips, or altering their skin tone in artificial ways.
This ban will include features such as “Bold Glamour,” which transform young users’ appearances in a way that makeup cannot. These changes were shared during a safety forum at TikTok’s European headquarters in Dublin.
TikTok also states that it is intensifying its efforts to ensure pre-teens are not using the platform.
Before the year ends, TikTok plans to trial automated systems employing machine learning to identify users who circumvent age restrictions…
Chloe Setter, TikTok’s leader in child safety public policy, stated: “We aim to enhance our ability to detect and remove violations more efficiently.”
While users under 13 are technically prohibited, the platform has faced criticism for not adequately policing age misrepresentation.
A child advocacy organization asserts that regulatory changes are prompting these reactions.
Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation focused on suicide prevention, commented: “It’s evident that these measures are largely being introduced to align with UK and EU regulations. This underlines the need for more robust regulatory frameworks, not less.”
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