Children’s AR Filter-Induced Body Dysmorphia: A Smartphone Camera Is Not a Mirror
There are two of me: There is me who actually exists. And then there is the imaginary Future Hot Me. Future Hot Me is me if I was meeting my expectations of my own appearance—how I believe I would look if I had more money, the right doctors, if I could get better sleep, if I did the things I’m always punishing myself for not doing—getting up earlier to do my makeup, or stop eating ramen at two in the morning. I indulge in the idea that hotness is just a question of prioritizing differently.
Lots of people have this split identity, I think. Future Hot You is you on your very best day, but a little brighter, a little sharper. You, with fuller hair and whiter teeth and less of a genetic predisposition to major depressive disorder and lactose intolerance. You, enhanced.
Future Hot You is a mirage. She exists nowhere, except in the accomplished self-torture instrument that is your own mind. Beauty filters have become so powerfully omnipresent on social media because they make our Future Hot Selves real, temporarily. Filters provide the illusion that with just a slight change—better makeup application or slightly longer eyelashes—you would be your dream self. There is genius in using the word filter, which means “a porous device for removing impurities,” to describe an augmented-reality program that distorts a visual image. The you that most filters reveal is not achievable through a few visits to a salon; it is achievable only through plastic surgery.
And the case only worsens when children join the conversation. At a young age, children aren’t able to process the images they see beyond the colorful pictures and brightness of the screen. This is also true for baby’s seeing themselves in a smartphone—it’s unlikely that the baby is processing what they see at first, even if it is an image of themselves.
“There are a multiple stages of identification of ‘self’ when a baby looks in a mirror,” says Lazar, an adolescent psychologist. “A smartphone camera is not a mirror, but at a certain point, a child will recognize themselves. A baby is even less likely to recognize themselves if a silly selfie filter is used.”
Children, especially during adolescence, are already navigating a challenging period of self-discovery and identity formation. The prevalence of AR filter-induced body dysmorphia exacerbates the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, and the constant exposure to digitally altered images can create a distorted perception of what is considered normal or beautiful, leading to a heightened sense of dissatisfaction with one's natural appearance.
I think addressing the issue of AR filter-induced body dysmorphia requires a multi-faceted approach. Parents often play a crucial role in fostering healthy self-esteem and body image by engaging in open conversations with their children about the unrealistic nature of digital enhancements, and emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance at schools can counteract the negative effects of constant exposure to altered images.
As technology continues to shape the way children perceive themselves, it is essential to recognize and address the potential harm that AR filter-induced body dysmorphia can inflict on their developing identities. Filters—and a virtual reality focused on beauty—are here to stay as long as IRL beauty standards remain. However, by fostering media literacy, promoting open communication, and encouraging a healthy sense of self, we can mitigate the negative impact of digital distortions and empower children and teens to embrace their authentic identities in the face of virtual perfection.
