The social media platform also announced it was tightening systems to block users under the age of 13
.
Images Staff
29 Nov, 2024
Images Staff
29 Nov, 2024
DAWN
Popular social media platform TikTok will soon impose restrictions on teenagers using beauty filters that alter their appearance in an attempt to address concerns about how these filters impact mental health.
According to The Guardian, users under the age of 18 will, in the coming weeks, be blocked from artificially making their eyes bigger, plumping their lips, and smoothing or changing their skin tone.
The restrictions will apply to filters — such as “Bold Glamour” — that alter people’s features in a way that makeup cannot. However, comic filters, such as those that add bunny ears or dog noses, will remain unaffected, the publication reported.
The move comes after widespread concern that beauty filters place pressure on young users, especially girls, to adhere to unachievable standards of beauty. Failing to look like a filtered version of yourself also often has a negative impact on teenagers’ mental health.
A press release by TikTok stated that they commissioned a report from UK-based not-for-profit organisation Internet Matters to examine the role of online platforms in shaping teens’ identity and relationships.
“The final report, ‘Unfiltered: The Role of Authenticity, Belonging and Connection’, […] identified new insights about teens’ use of effects and the impact this has on their sense of self. A clear distinction was drawn between effects designed to be obvious and funny (eg animal ear effects) and effects designed to alter your appearance. Specifically, teens and parents raised concerns about ‘appearance’ effects, including that those viewing the content might not realise it had been altered.”
Additionally, the platform will provide more information about how an effect might change a user’s appearance if applied. “This is in addition to already proactively letting users know when certain effects have been used on content.”
TikTok will also refresh resources for people developing filters to enhance awareness and understanding of some of the unintended outcomes that certain filters may pose.
“By fostering a culture of authenticity, respect and support, we can create a digital world where everyone feels empowered to be their true self.”
TikTok also announced it was tightening its systems to block users under 13 from the platform. Before the end of the year, it will launch a trial of new automated systems that use machine learning to detect people cheating its age restrictions, The Guardian reported.
The platform said every month, it removes six million accounts globally because the minimum age requirement was not met.
It detailed that it was exploring how new machine learning technology could better efforts to prevent people under 13 from being on the platform.
“This technology will help detect accounts that may belong to someone under 13 so that a specially trained moderator can review the account and remove it if they believe someone doesn’t meet our minimum age.”
However, people will be able to make an appeal if they think TikTok has made a mistake.
Popular social media platform TikTok will soon impose restrictions on teenagers using beauty filters that alter their appearance in an attempt to address concerns about how these filters impact mental health.
According to The Guardian, users under the age of 18 will, in the coming weeks, be blocked from artificially making their eyes bigger, plumping their lips, and smoothing or changing their skin tone.
The restrictions will apply to filters — such as “Bold Glamour” — that alter people’s features in a way that makeup cannot. However, comic filters, such as those that add bunny ears or dog noses, will remain unaffected, the publication reported.
The move comes after widespread concern that beauty filters place pressure on young users, especially girls, to adhere to unachievable standards of beauty. Failing to look like a filtered version of yourself also often has a negative impact on teenagers’ mental health.
A press release by TikTok stated that they commissioned a report from UK-based not-for-profit organisation Internet Matters to examine the role of online platforms in shaping teens’ identity and relationships.
“The final report, ‘Unfiltered: The Role of Authenticity, Belonging and Connection’, […] identified new insights about teens’ use of effects and the impact this has on their sense of self. A clear distinction was drawn between effects designed to be obvious and funny (eg animal ear effects) and effects designed to alter your appearance. Specifically, teens and parents raised concerns about ‘appearance’ effects, including that those viewing the content might not realise it had been altered.”
Additionally, the platform will provide more information about how an effect might change a user’s appearance if applied. “This is in addition to already proactively letting users know when certain effects have been used on content.”
TikTok will also refresh resources for people developing filters to enhance awareness and understanding of some of the unintended outcomes that certain filters may pose.
“By fostering a culture of authenticity, respect and support, we can create a digital world where everyone feels empowered to be their true self.”
TikTok also announced it was tightening its systems to block users under 13 from the platform. Before the end of the year, it will launch a trial of new automated systems that use machine learning to detect people cheating its age restrictions, The Guardian reported.
The platform said every month, it removes six million accounts globally because the minimum age requirement was not met.
It detailed that it was exploring how new machine learning technology could better efforts to prevent people under 13 from being on the platform.
“This technology will help detect accounts that may belong to someone under 13 so that a specially trained moderator can review the account and remove it if they believe someone doesn’t meet our minimum age.”
However, people will be able to make an appeal if they think TikTok has made a mistake.
No comments:
Post a Comment