Remember when everyone’s selfies included puppy-dog ears and flower-crowns? We all thought we had reached peak filter era then, but with Instagram rolling out its insanely realistic AR filters earlier this year; we’re actually just now reaching the climax. And the social media network has been quick to regulate it.
It turns out, they’re pretty damaging to our mental health. Particularly the influx of face filters that leave their users with inflated pouts and cheekbones as sharp as a knife. You’ve all seen them, used them, and (if you’re anything like me) abused them. But now, Instagram is banning them.
In an attempt to curb the rise of body dysmorphia associated with the use of filters, Spark AR, the augmented reality platform behind the filters, announced that it is removing any filters with a cosmetic surgery effect. They’re also putting any filters that fit the criteria but are in the process of approval to a halt.
“We want Spark AR effects to be a positive experience and are re-evaluating our existing policies as they relate to well-being,” the company announced.
“While we’re re-evaluating our policies, we will remove all effects from the gallery associated with plastic surgery, stop further approval of new effects like this and remove current effects if they’re reported to us,” reads their statement posted on Facebook.
Filters like Plastica, which morph faces into real-life Bratz dolls, are on their way out, along with the quick blast of dopamine that came with using them.
Whilst you might fairly want to take your time to mourn them, it’s probably for the best. Research backs up Instagram’s claim to our mental health.
