Social media filters can be fun—who doesn’t love a pair of digital bunny ears?
But what happens when a filter stops being harmless and starts reinforcing toxic beauty standards?
TikTok found itself in hot water after rolling out an AI-powered “chubby filter” that made users appear significantly heavier.
The problem? Many saw it as body shaming disguised as a joke.
Users flooded the app with videos reacting in horror to their altered reflections, while the comments were filled with variations of “Imagine looking like this.”
Imagining Wasn’t Necessary
“A lot of people can imagine,” TikToker Sadiebass16 pointed out, criticizing the filter for mocking real bodies.
Luna, a wellness app for teens, called it out for fueling unhealthy beauty standards.
In response to the backlash, TikTok swiftly removed the filter and blocked related videos from teen accounts.
But the damage was already done.
Critics argue that this is just the latest example of social media warping our perception of beauty, from airbrushed perfection to the return of “heroin chic” aesthetics.
So where do we draw the line?
When filters stop being fun and start making people feel worse about themselves, maybe it’s time to hit uninstall.
