TikTok will limit the use of beautification filters for users under the age of 18. He wants to protect the mental health of young people and fight bullying.
TikTok bans beautifying filters for users under 18. This measure is intended to reduce the negative influence that edited images have on the psyche of young people. Filters like “Bold Glamour” that enlarge the eyes, smooth the skin or change the proportions of the face will be blocked for younger users. The decision comes in response to legislative measures such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and Europe’s Digital Services Act, which push for the protection of minors online.
Studies warn that social media can cause young people to compare their appearance to unrealistic ideals created by filters and edits. According to the expert, Dr. Jasmine Fardouly, these filters create an unattainable standard of beauty that no one can actually live up to. “Everyone looks the same, which promotes unrealistic ideas of what we should look like,” says Fardouly.
TikTok is also working on a system to detect users misrepresenting their age. Users under the age of 13 should not be on the platform at all. Automated technologies should significantly improve the detection of such cases by the end of the year. Whether TikTok is acting under pressure from legislation or on its own initiative, the move is welcomed by parents and experts alike.
Source: pctuning.cz
