In the wake of growing concerns about the impact of beauty filters, the United Kingdom and the European Union have enacted new regulations aimed at protecting young users from potential negative effects. In line with these changes, TikTok has revealed new measures to bolster user safety, particularly for those aged 13 to 18.
As reported by The Guardian, TikTok is set to impose limitations on beauty filters for this demographic. These limitations will eliminate options that allow substantial alterations to appearance, including adjustments like enlarging eyes, plumping lips, or changing skin tones. Notably, filters that significantly transform facial features, such as the Bold Glamour filter, will be banned, while whimsical filters like those adding bunny ears or dog noses will still be permitted.
These updates were announced during a safety forum held in Dublin, Ireland. Recently, the U.K. government enacted the Online Safety Bill, mandating social media platforms to discover new ways to shield children from harmful material, which includes unrealistic beauty standards facilitated by filters.
Similarly, the EU’s Digital Services Act, enacted in 2022, introduces comparable regulations. This law emphasizes the importance of platform transparency concerning algorithms and provides users with more control over their content. Such initiatives may help raise awareness regarding the use of filters and their possible implications for users.
Alongside restricting specific beauty filters for younger audiences, TikTok is also aiming to prevent users under the age of 13 from using the platform in the U.K. This effort involves utilizing machine learning technology to detect and stop users from circumventing age restrictions.
Chloe Setter, TikTok’s lead for child safety public policy, stated, “We’re aiming to enhance our ability to identify and remove users more swiftly.”
Moreover, users who feel they have been mistakenly blocked will have the option to appeal. TikTok’s new policies are not limited to the EU and U.K.; they will be rolled out globally in the upcoming weeks.
In recent times, the proliferation of beauty filters on social media has sparked significant dialogue regarding self-image, beauty ideals, and mental health, particularly among youth. Research published by Psychology Today and other institutions indicates that regular exposure to altered images can skew a child’s perception of beauty. This skew can lead to dissatisfaction with their natural looks and a desire to emulate the filtered versions they see online.
Additionally, findings from the Child Mind Institute suggest that constant viewing of enhanced beauty images can contribute to various mental health issues among children and teenagers, including anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.
In June, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the former U.S. surgeon general, expressed that social media can be detrimental to health and should face regulations akin to those imposed on tobacco products in the past.
Any measures, aside from deleting their accounts, that parents can utilize to protect their children from the adverse effects of online interactions are invaluable.
TikTok is available for download on various platforms, including iOS and Android, and can be accessed on devices such as the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9.
