Experts warn that a TikTok filter that offers users a flawless complexion without glitches “threatens the mental health” of the app’s users.
Social media users are swooning over the platform’s new ‘Bold Glamour’ filter, which has been used more than 15 million times after launching this month.
The effect allows the person to look as if a thick layer of makeup has been piled on the user’s face and removes blemishes from the skin.
However, professionals are now calling the filter “deeply disturbing” and warning that it could have a harmful impact on people’s lives.
Lucy Thorpe, head of policy at the Mental Health Foundation, said The times: ‘Young people in particular are under enormous pressure to look a certain way. The solution is definitely not to encourage them to change their image.
Experts warn that a TikTok filter that gives users a flawless complexion without glitches “threatens the mental health” of the app’s users (from left, Joanna Kenny of the Lake District shared a video while using the filter)
“We need to create a culture that values people for who they are and not what they look like.”
Meanwhile, TikTok user Joanna Kenny, from the Lake District, shared a video while using the filter, saying, “I don’t look like that, but the filter itself looks natural.”
In fact, I look ugly when I take this filter off. I have worked hard to unlearn that I owe beauty to anyone.
“I don’t think my brain knows how to deal with looking like this one minute and then this the next.”
MPs have also been weighing in on the issue, with Dr Luke Evans sharing a video on the platform saying: “We need to talk about this filter.”
He told The Times: “I’ve seen clips of people applying it (the filter) and saying it sets an unrealistic standard that they can’t meet and can’t be good for anyone’s state of mind…it’s hard to argue against it. this”. .’
Even before experts warned about the damage the filter could cause, the strangely perfect appearance had people uneasy as they were baffled by how real it appears.
TikTok user Zoe George from Australia posted a video of her testing the filter online, writing: “So there’s this new filter on TikTok and it’s perfect, check it out.”
“You used to do that with an old filter (covers the eye) and you’d see the lashes in your hand, like it was failing.”
A TikTok filter that gives users a flawless complexion with no glitches leaves app users concerned (on the left, a user without the filter, and on the right, with the filter).
Posting under the username @zoe_george_, she continued: “But look how perfect, I’m not wearing makeup right now, this is all a filter and it’s scary.”
Elsewhere, users raised concerns about the new addition to the popular video-sharing platform.
Samantha Hoy from London tested the filter in Tik Tok and said she was very concerned about the results.
She explained: ‘I don’t look like that and normally when you put your hand on your face, it comes off.
‘This is not me. How toxic is this filter? And what is it teaching young children today?
Posting under the username @amor_style_life, she continued: “That’s why so many people get so upset and think they should look like other people when it’s not really them.”
Explaining how the filter creates a natural look, evens out pores and gives a natural glow, he then explained why it’s dangerous.
She said: ‘This is so unfair to the young people we are raising in this world today.
“They’re going to look at this and think, ‘Oh my gosh, her makeup is flawless, her skin is flawless, she just looks unreal.”
It doesn’t look like a filter at all, as no matter how much you move your eyebrows or cover your face, it doesn’t fail.
Samantha Hoy from London tried the filter on TikTok and said she was very concerned about the results (left without the filter and right with it).
To test the filter, Swede Linus Ekenstam shared a video on Twitter showing a variety of facial expressions to see how easily it failed.
He wrote: “I’m having a hard time here and it fails only once when I’m covering my entire face.”
On Friday, Australian star Abbie Chatfield criticized the trend, calling it “toxic” and “harmful.”
The Australian reality star, 27, broke loose in the Bold Glamor viral beauty filter that has stirred up some controversy in recent days.
Meanwhile, the former Bachelor contestant warned that the filter was harmful and her fans agreed with her point of view.
To test the filter, Swede Linus Ekenstam shared a video of himself showing a series of facial expressions to see how easily it failed.
Abbie Chatfield has criticized one of the latest TikTok trends, calling it “toxic” and “harmful”. The Australian reality star, 27, broke loose in the Body Glamor viral beauty filter that has stirred up some controversy in recent days.
So he uploaded his version, which racked up 192,000 views, altering its appearance and showing the contrast from when no edits were made.
“If I wasn’t a grown adult this would rot my brains out to be honest,” his caption read at the top of the video.
He added in the caption next to the video: “Like it’s fun, but it’s also very toxic.”
A variety of fans commented that they didn’t recognize her with the filter on, saying they preferred her appearance when it wasn’t worn.
This isn’t the first filter TikTok has come under fire for, with it launching its Teenage Filter last month.
By doing what it says on the package, the teen filter makes your face look younger.
The default setting will require a passcode to continue scrolling through the app once the time limit is reached, but teens can opt out of the feature if they wish.
And profiles owned by users ages 13-15 will also be set to private automatically.
The China-based company is also set to give parents and guardians more control, allowing them to mute notifications in the app from their children during specific times of the day.
TikTok did not confirm an exact date for the release of the new features, but did confirm that it would be “in the coming weeks.”
