In an effort to protect the mental health of teenagers and address the negative effects of unrealistic beauty standards. According to The Guardian, TikTok has announced a ban on the use of beauty filters for users under the age of 18. This step is expected to have a positive impact on the self-confidence of young people, who are often affected by their appearance on social media.
For your information, the ban is part of TikTok's efforts to comply with laws such as the Online Safety Act 2024 in the UK and the Digital Services Act 2022 in the EU. This law also emphasises the protection of young users from content and features that may harm their well-being.
In the next few weeks, TikTok will block filters such as "Bold Glamour", which can change facial features such as enlarging eyes, reddening lips, and smoothing skin. Filters that mimic unrealistic beauty will be discontinued for users aged 13 to 17. In addition, TikTok is testing an automatic age detection system based on machine learning to detect users trying to cheat the platform's age limit.
This is important because users under the age of 13 are not allowed to use this application. Chloe Setter, TikTok's Head of Child Safety Policy, explains:
“This system will hopefully help us identify and block more underage users faster.”
Moreover, this is considered sensible by many, including parents and mental health experts, who are aware of the negative effects of beauty filters on teenagers' self-image. Research by Dr Jasmine Fardouly also supports this action by emphasising that false beauty standards can cause individuals to question their self-esteem. TikTok is now strengthening its role in keeping its platform safe for young people, in line with society's demands for a more responsible platform.
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