Instagram Filters vs. Self-Acceptance: How the Social Media Affects Mental Health

The history of filters starts way back in the Snapchat universe where little ears and mustaches or colored glasses were used stitched to one's photo for a spot fun and entertainment. Mark Zuckerberg, meanwhile, saw the success of filters and soon integrated this functionality into Instagram. It didn't take long for the effects to stop being harmless accoutrements and, instead, be used to alter appearances and distort users' self-image. 

The phenomenon known as “Snapchat dysmorphia” has been a topic of severe psychological discussion lately. According to a study by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 55 percent of plastic surgeons saw patients in 2017 who wanted to undergo surgery to improve selfies and look like their filtered photos.

The desire to look more like filters creates an unreal standard the internet presents us to fit an aesthetic pattern: small nose, big eyes, fair skin, and full lips—exclusively European aesthetics.

This search for the aesthetic standard from filters creates a paradoxical situation in which the user needs to hide their true self, in exchange for the self they want to be. This recurrent behavior in young adults has manifested a generation of self-esteem and emotional problems, even leading to depression.

Norway recently announced a law that will prohibit influencers and brands from posting images on social media that have been retouched using filters (or other editing tools) without warning. 

The way in which celebrities, the media, and the internet influence people has led to an uptick in personality disorders. In these circumstances, the monitored use of social networks is recommended in order to positively impact your lifestyle.