# TikTok’s Prohibition of Beauty Filters for Users Under 18: Addressing Mental Health Issues
In a notable initiative aimed at tackling rising mental health issues among younger users, TikTok has declared a worldwide prohibition on the utilization of beauty filters for individuals aged 17 and below. This move follows new legislation in the UK and EU, showcasing a broader acknowledgment of the influence social media can exert on self-image and body perception.
## The Effects of Unattainable Beauty Norms
Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that social media platforms can sustain unattainable beauty norms, resulting in negative self-image among users. Many people, especially teenagers, often juxtapose their real-life looks with heavily modified images they see online. Such comparisons can induce feelings of inferiority and dissatisfaction with one’s own looks.
Dr. Jasmine Fardouly, a body image specialist from the University of New South Wales, underscores the harmful impact of exposure to unrealistic beauty standards. She points out that these standards are not only unachievable but also flatten the concept of beauty, making it challenging for young individuals to value their distinct characteristics. “It’s promoting a beauty ideal that’s not attainable for you,” she notes, emphasizing that the widespread use of filters can obscure the truth about beauty and self-acceptance.
## TikTok’s Updated Guidelines on Beauty Filters
As reported by sources such as *The Guardian*, TikTok’s prohibition will bar users aged 13 to 17 from employing filters that artificially modify their physical appearances, such as enlarging eyes, enhancing lips, or smoothing skin tones. These modifications will affect popular filters like “Bold Glamour,” which dramatically alter a user’s look beyond achievable makeup results.
The announcement took place during a safety meeting at TikTok’s European headquarters in Dublin, where the company reaffirmed its dedication to improving the safety and welfare of its younger users. Alongside the filter prohibition, TikTok is also ramping up its measures to limit access for pre-teens, including using machine learning systems to identify age verification breaches.
## Legislative Pressure and Child Welfare
The momentum for these alterations has been partly fueled by legislative demands in the UK and EU, urging social media firms to assume greater accountability for the content and features available to minors. Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, which concentrates on suicide prevention, acknowledges that these changes are primarily in response to regulatory pressures. He calls for more stringent regulations to ensure the protection of young users on social media platforms.
TikTok’s new initiatives illustrate an increasing recognition of the necessity to safeguard young users from the possible dangers of social media, especially related to mental health. By limiting access to beauty filters, the platform aspires to cultivate a healthier online atmosphere where young individuals can interact without the burden of aspiring to unrealistic beauty standards.
## Conclusion
TikTok’s choice to prohibit beauty filters for users under 18 signifies a meaningful advance in addressing the mental health issues linked to social media. As platforms continue to contend with their impact on self-esteem and body image, efforts like these underscore the significance of establishing safer online environments for youth. By emphasizing mental health and well-being, TikTok is setting a standard that other social media platforms might emulate in the future.
