In response to escalating concerns about the impact of beauty filters on young people’s mental health and self-esteem, TikTok has announced significant new restrictions on these features for users aged 13 to 18. This move follows the recent implementation of stringent online safety regulations in both the UK and the EU, which mandate social media platforms to prioritize the well-being of their younger users.
The Guardian reports that TikTok’s updated policy will prohibit filters that dramatically alter facial features, such as those that enlarge eyes, plump lips, or significantly change skin tone. Filters like the popular “Bold Glamour” filter will be among those removed. However, more playful filters, including those that add animal ears or noses, will remain available. This change, unveiled at a safety forum in Dublin, demonstrates a proactive approach to addressing the potential harms associated with unrealistic beauty standards perpetuated by social media.
The UK’s newly enacted Online Safety Bill directly addresses this issue, obligating platforms to actively combat the spread of harmful content, including the promotion of unrealistic beauty ideals through the use of filters. Similarly, the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), implemented in 2022, imposes comparable restrictions and places a strong emphasis on algorithmic transparency and user control. These legislative efforts underscore the growing international recognition of the need for robust online safety measures to protect children and adolescents.
Beyond filter restrictions, TikTok is also strengthening its age verification processes in the UK to prevent children under 13 from accessing the platform. This involves deploying advanced machine learning technologies to identify and swiftly remove accounts that circumvent age restrictions. Chloe Setter, TikTok’s lead on child safety public policy, stated that these enhanced measures will allow for quicker detection and removal of underage users, with an appeal process in place for users who are mistakenly blocked. Importantly, these new rules are not limited to the UK and EU; TikTok confirmed that they will be rolled out globally in the coming weeks.
The debate surrounding beauty filters and their impact on young people’s mental health has intensified in recent years. Numerous studies, including those published by Psychology Today and the Child Mind Institute, have highlighted a strong correlation between frequent exposure to digitally altered images and negative mental health outcomes, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. These studies demonstrate that the constant bombardment of enhanced beauty images can distort children’s perceptions of beauty, leading to dissatisfaction with their natural appearance and a desire to emulate unrealistic ideals presented online.
The concerns surrounding the impact of social media on young people’s mental well-being have reached the highest levels of government. In June, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, the outgoing U.S. surgeon general, called for greater regulation of social media, drawing parallels to the historical regulation of tobacco products. This underscores the growing consensus that proactive steps are essential to mitigate the potential harms associated with excessive social media use in young people. Any tool that aids parents in better protecting their children’s online experience is welcomed, short of completely removing access to digital platforms. TikTok is available for download on various platforms including iOS and Android, compatible with devices such as the iPhone 16 and Google Pixel 9.
