Instagram’s filters are getting a new change–one that bans all plastic surgery-like effects. This includes the ones that make your lips look like you’ve just gotten filler injections and the filters that appear to make your nose ten times smaller.
The new annoucement actually came from Spark AR Creators who produces filters for Instagram. They released the statement on Facebook, stating:
We want Spark AR effects to be a positive experience and are re-evaluating our existing policies as they relate to well-being. While this happens, we’re doing the following:
- Removing all effects associated with plastic surgery from the Instagram Effect Gallery
- Postponing approval of new effects associated with plastic surgery until further notice
- Continuing to remove policy-violating effects as they are identified
They noted that they did not have an exact date or timeline for when you should expect these changes to come into effect, but that in the coming weeks, it would begin to be rolled out.
This likely will not effect the majority of filters, although most do alter your appearance in a significant way. The change comes after research suggested that social media (and filters) are damaging to mental health. Connecting to plastic surgery, researchers have found a spike in interest for plastic surgery which they say is related to what women and girls’ are viewing on social media. This trend is dubbed “Social Media Dysmorphia.”
Given all of the research, it is clear that Instagram’s move is in the right direction. What do you think about the new filter changes? Let us know in the comments!