I find the term “authenticity” intriguing in this context since social media completely lacks it. Since I tried to change my look online for years, I would know.
Social media platforms don’t do much to inform us about the photos we see. According to Hanna, websites such as TikTok may begin to include warnings on photos.
That have been changed to alert viewers that the filters are not real and do not represent a realistic look.
There are rumors that Instagram is implementing this to discourage users from posting photos that have been Photoshopped, but nothing concrete has been implemented as of yet.
I’m happy to report that my use of face filters finally dwindled. Maybe, however, I was simply fortunate that the filters I employed as a teenager weren’t as sophisticated.
I browse TikTok’s current selection in an attempt to see what’s accessible right now. One filter offers me fake fluttery eyelashes, another makes my jawline seem.
As if I’ve had my buccal fat removed, and a third gives me genuine freckles and a nice, pointed nose. It’s alluring. It’s not genuine, however. All I can hope is that young children will understand.
