Filtering Factors

Have you ever thought that you would look better if you had plumper, more kissable lips? How about if you had a completely different skin complexion? Or even better, how about a set of dog ears and a canine’s nose? Well, it seems that the latest in social media-based psychological disorders, “Snapchat dysmorphia,” may be a cause for such intriguing requests. This condition stems from the circumstances in which people develop an obsession with correcting their physical appearance to resemble the filtered images produced in Snapchat, a popular social media platform. In further examining this unique predicament, a look at its unattended consequences and potential developments may shed new light on the risks of using social media.

According to information provided by the American Psychological Association, a body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a condition in which an individual’s fixation with imaginary or miniscule physical defects begins to consequently affect their mental and behavioral health (Traynor, 2018). While there is no known cause for this ailment, some have started to fear that the filtered images produced in Snapchat are causing people to invent or exaggerate flaws in their natural, physical appearance (Welch, 2018). What may initially appear to be a casual, and even humorous, selfie session can slowly begin to change how an individual may view their own self-image without the benefit of alterations. As these feelings continue to manifest, people may become depressed, embarrassed, and ashamed of their outward appearance in comparison to their Snapchat image (Traynor, 2018). These sentiments can also cause one to isolate themselves from society, develop eating disorders, or seek permanent medical procedures to alter their outward presentation (Traynor, 2018).

A recent story produced by CBS News focuses on an uptick in plastic surgery requests from individuals seeking to look more like their Snapchat photographs. While some use to provide images of celebrities to describe their ideal corrective procedures to surgeons, these doctors are now more commonly being presented with selfies that have been filtered to erase one’s faults. From 2015-2017, surgeons saw a 13% increase in the number of patients who wanted to look better in their selfies as a reason to seek a corrective procedure (Welch, 2018). Where the process of revamping or photoshopping images was generally limited to models and actresses, now one’s neighbor, childhood friend, or coworker may be able to modify their appearance with a telephone. This leaves many individuals, particularly adolescent girls, even more concerned with their everyday image, and ultimately, vulnerable to taking drastic measures to portray beauty (Welch, 2018).

“Snapchat dysmorphia” presents another reason for society to discuss the consequences risky outcomes involved with increased social media usage. As individuals continue to use photo-filtering technology to perfect their digital image, the concern that these techniques can lead to serious ramifications continues to rise. For those who develop a body dysmorphia disorder due to invented physical defects from Snapchat filtering, there is an increased likelihood of depression, social isolation, and acquired eating disorders. For some, plastic surgery has become the most viable option to obtain an appearance fit for, and because of, social media.

References:

Traynor, T. L. (n.d.). Body Dysmorphic Disorder [Scholarly project]. Retrieved October 19, 2018, from https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/undergrad/ptacc/body-dysmorphic-traynor.pdf

Welch, A. (2018, August 06). “Snapchat dysmorphia”: Selfies, photo filters driving people to plastic surgery, doctors say. Retrieved October 21, 2018, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/snapchat-dysmorphia-selfies-driving-people-to-plastic-surgery-doctors-warn/

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1 comment

  1. Caroline Williams

    Wow, what an interesting post! It blows by mind that people actually base plastic surgery decisions on how snapchat filters blur their “flaws”. When I think about it though, it makes a lot of sense! I am familiar with body dysmorphia that comes from the way women are portrayed in magazines/the media in general; these images are usually heavily photoshopped, with the ideal woman being portrayed as tall and very thin. Just seeing women pictured this way can make normal women feel uncomfortable in their own skin; it can make women feel like they are fat even if they are at a healthy weight, because they have unrealistic expectation for themselves based on media.

    After reading your post, it makes sense to me how snapchat can create a similar effect but on a more extreme level. By putting a filter on where your face is thinned out, your blemishes are blurred, and your eyes are brightened–you can begin to see this version of yourself as better and more perfect than your real self. I can see how this could lead to mental health issues and eating disorders like you mention.

    Really great post!!

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