Sadie expressed her belief that the “chubby filter” on TikTok should come with a warning. The controversial filter, which altered users’ appearances to look overweight, was recently removed from the platform following criticism from users. While some found humor in the filter with before-and-after images, others saw it as a form of body shaming and called for its ban.
Experts warned that the filter could perpetuate a toxic diet culture and contribute to eating disorders. TikTok, owned by ByteDance, took action by reviewing and blocking videos using the effect, as well as removing content that violated community guidelines. Users like Sadie spoke out against the filter, emphasizing the negative impact it had on body image and self-esteem.
Furthermore, individuals such as Dr. Emma Beckett criticized the filter for reinforcing harmful stereotypes about body size. Users like Nina and Emma shared their discomfort with the filter, noting its potential to promote damaging and toxic views on appearance and self-worth, especially among young audiences.
In conclusion, the removal of the “chubby filter” on TikTok highlights the importance of promoting positive body image and preventing harmful content from perpetuating unhealthy societal norms.
Numerous videos featuring a specific filter have garnered thousands of likes. In the context of this piece, I decided to apply the filter to my own image. The experience left me feeling extremely uneasy. Given my strong belief in body positivity and my past struggles with self-image, using the filter was completely contrary to how I typically engage with social media. I was disappointed that TikTok promoted it to me in the first place. The filter drastically altered my appearance and even included text suggesting it would make the user appear “chubby” [BBC]. Despite my lack of interaction with weight-related or health content, this filter unexpectedly appeared on my TikTok “For You” page. Following my viewing of the video and its comments, TikTok proceeded to recommend similar videos from other users employing the filter, including one where artificial intelligence can digitally slim down the viewer. Fortunately, the platform eventually began showcasing creators critiquing this trend, some of whom were interviewed for this article. While AI-generated images and filters have become commonplace on TikTok and are generally embraced for entertainment purposes, they can have detrimental effects on individuals’ mental well-being. Such filters, although seemingly playful, can contribute to unhealthy comparisons and promote unrealistic standards, leading individuals to scrutinize not only others but also an unattainable version of themselves.
