TikTok has announced a significant policy change aimed at protecting the mental health of its younger users by banning beauty filters for accounts under 18. This decision, set to take effect in the coming weeks, comes in response to a study by Internet Matters highlighting the negative impacts of such filters on young people's self-identity.
The platform will differentiate between obvious filters, like those adding animal features, and subtle ones that alter appearance in less detectable ways. TikTok's Public Policy Manager for Safety and Wellbeing in Europe, Nikki Soo, emphasized the importance of making this distinction clear.
Furthermore, TikTok plans to enhance its user education by providing more information about how certain effects can change appearances and the potential unintended consequences of using these filters. This move follows legal actions from 14 U.S. state attorneys general, who accused the platform of harming children's mental health through addictive content systems and beauty filters that can negatively impact self-esteem.
With 175 million monthly users in Europe and a proactive approach to removing accounts created by users under 13, TikTok is collaborating with NGOs and regulators to strengthen its measures. In addition, the platform will soon offer local helplines in 13 European countries to assist users reporting content related to suicide, self-harm, and bullying.