WEEK 8: AUGMENTED REALITY FILTERS
What are AR filters, and why have filters becoming increasingly popular among users?
One of the most recent and revolutionary technologies in this collection is augmented reality (AR) filters. These filters are typically used on users' faces, such as adding fashionable clothing, enhancing their facial characteristics, turning them into imaginary creatures, or superimposing amusing objects like a Taco hat. According to Bhatt (2020), over 600 million individuals use AR filters on Instagram or Facebook on a monthly basis, while 76% of Snapchat users employ them daily.
The primary driving force behind social media platforms like Instagram is the generation and distribution of visual content, including photos and videos (Choi & Sung, 2018; Kostyk & Huhmann, 2020). To facilitate the creation of visually captivating and captivating content, site developers allocate significant resources to incorporate features such as filters, airbrushing, and photo-editing options (Vendemia & DeAndrea, 2018). Moreover, previous studies have shown that self-presentational technologies provide distinct and significant gratifications associated to identification (e.g., Erz et al., 2018), and these filters have a unique capability to contribute to self-presentation (Javornik et al., 2021).
The repercussions of Beauty Filters
Beauty filters, once celebrated as instruments to boost self-confidence and improve digital looks, now expose a more negative aspect.
As the use of these filters increases on social media platforms, they promote false ideals of beauty and contribute to a culture of comparing oneself to others and feeling inadequate. Users are increasingly dependent on these artificial upgrades to achieve an unachievable standard, resulting in skewed impressions of oneself and others. Furthermore, the process of normalizing filtered photos obscures the distinction between reality and fiction, intensifying feelings of worry and discontentment with one's authentic look. In addition to personal repercussions, beauty filters foster social prejudices by privileging some characteristics over others, intensifying problems of bias and marginalization. As the dependence on these filters increases, there is also a greater need for thoughtful examination of their influence.
Contribute to the existing body of research on the relationship between social media and well-being by examining the impact of AR face filters. This study builds upon previous studies conducted by Keles, McCrae, and Grealish (2019), Rui and Stefanone (2013), and Zheng, Duff, Vargas, and Yao (2020), the findings suggest that AR face filters may have both positive and negative effects on well-being, making them a complex phenomenon to consider. If AR filters are used with the intention of presenting oneself in an idealized manner, they may have a harmful effect. This supports the assumption that AR filters worsen selfie dysmorphia.
From my own perspective, filters may be enjoyable and entertaining, but they can also negatively impact people's self-perceptions. It has evolved beyond just a simple filter and has become a harmful social media trend that encourages body image issues and inhibits people from embracing their natural beauty. People should educate themselves and aware that the image they are seeing online has been filtered and extensively modified. The flawless portrayal you encounter on the internet is really an illusion, while the reflection in the mirror is genuine and aesthetically pleasing.
Reference
Keles, B., McCrae, N., & Grealish, A. (2019). A systematic review: The influence of social media on depression, anxiety and psychological distress in adolescents. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 25(1), 79–93.
Bhatt, S. (2020). The big picture in the entire AR-filter craze. Retrieved from https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/internet/brands-see-the-big-picture-in-ar-filter-craze/articleshow/78266655.cms?from=mdr
Choi, T. R., & Sung, Y. (2018). Instagram versus Snapchat: Self-expression and privacy concern on social media. Telematics and Informatics, 35(8), 2289-2298. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2018.09.009
Vendemia, M. A., & DeAndrea, D. C. (2018). The effects of viewing thin, sexualized selfies on Instagram: Investigating the role of image source and awareness of photo editing practices. Body Image, 27, 118-127. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.08.013