TikTok is going to ban beauty filters for users under 18 due to public pressure to minimize the danger to their mental health psyche and self-esteem. Sources indicate that this plan is going to be rolled out in several weeks across different countries starting with banned filters such as the notorious “Bold Glamour” that distorts the face structure, inflates the lip size, and removes wrinkling to achieve an otherwise humanly impossible appearance. Other filters, though, which are used as a source of entertainment, will not be blocked.
This comes after a report by Internet Matters, a UK-based nonprofit, pointed out the adverse effects of appearance-altering filters. Teenagers, especially girls, said they were under pressure to meet unattainable beauty standards and that their unfiltered images were not good enough. The report also revealed a need for authenticity and connectedness online to help young users grow in healthier self-perceptions.
According to Dr. Nikki Soo, TikTok’s Public Policy Lead for Safety and Well-being in Europe, the company wants to relieve teens of social pressures. “By promoting authenticity and responsible use of filters, we hope to build a safer online environment,” she added.
TikTok will also employ machine learning to enhance the process of age verification to trace and delete underage accounts. It deletes millions of accounts each quarter for violating the age policies. Users flagged for being underage will have a chance to appeal these findings.
This action is in line with other industry-wide trends. For instance, Instagram and Roblox have implemented similar policies regarding content restriction or regulation of teen engagement. The moves were welcomed by these lobby groups, however, as they continue striving for an even greater extent of regulation to make the children more secure than feasible.
This way, with safety and mental well-being, TikTok creates a more favorable and empowering space for users.
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