Social media platform TikTok has banned a controversial ‘chubby’ filter that would edit people to look as though they had put on weight. The artificial intelligence-powered filter was gaining traction among TikTok users who were using it to post ‘before and after’ photos of themselves.

Many pointed out that the filter was “problematic" and encouraged “body shaming", particularly among women. While some users would joke about their “after" appearance, others said that such filters perpetuate unrealistic beauty standards and contribute to negative body image.
According to a BBC report, health experts warned against the promotion of such filters, arguing that it could fuel a trend of “toxic diet culture" and may lead to eating disorders. Following the massive outcry, TikTok told the BBC that it would review such videos and make them ineligible for recommendation. It also added that such videos would be particularly banned from appearing on teen accounts.
On the incident, a nutrition scientist told BBC that it was “a huge step backwards" in terms of weight stigma. She explained that these harmful stereotypes perpetuate the idea that people in larger bodies are lazy or flawed. She also said that such trends can ultimately result in people falling prey to scam products and fad diets.

The incident follows amid growing concern over the influence of social media content on people’s mental health, particularly teenagers. Earlier this month, a Kerala teen died due to complications related to Anorexia Nervosa. Anorexia is a serious medical illness that makes people obsess about their weight. The 18-year-old victim was following a harsh online diet, abstaining from food for nearly six months. According to multiple reports, the teen’s extreme water fasting regimen was influenced by an online platform.

According to the National Eating Disorder Association Organisation, global eating disorder prevalence increased from 3.5% to 7.8% between 2000 and 2018. Amid the rising trend of “influencer" culture on social media, eating disorders have become a common sight among women and teenage girls. Though the illness impacts all age groups and genders, girls are at a higher risk due to societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards promoted online.