TikTok has announced plans to restrict the use of certain beauty filters for teenagers under the age of 18, citing concerns over the impact of these filters on their mental health. The move comes in response to a report by the children's online safety non-profit Internet Matters, which found that "beautifying filters contributed to a distorted worldview in which perfected images are normalized."

The restrictions, set to roll out "in the coming weeks," will prevent under-18s from using "appearance-altering effects" that are difficult to detect, such as those that give users smoother skin, longer eyelashes, and slimmer faces. However, filters that are "designed to be obvious and funny," like adding animal ears or comically exaggerating certain features, will still be accessible to all users.

The changes aim to address the issue of beautifying filters, which can create unrealistic beauty standards and contribute to a distorted worldview among young users. According to the Internet Matters report, children often struggle to distinguish between altered and unaltered images, leading to "significant social pressure" to conform to certain beauty standards online.

TikTok's move is part of a broader effort to prioritize user safety and well-being on its platform. The company is also introducing new resources to connect users who report content related to suicide, self-harm, hate, and harassment to relevant local helplines in 13 European countries. This expansion is expected to benefit the platform's over 175 million monthly active users in Europe.

In addition to these changes, TikTok is exploring new machine-learning technologies to detect accounts made by users under the age of 13, the minimum age permitted to use the platform. The company claims to remove around six million accounts globally each year that don't meet its minimum age requirements, and users who have their accounts deleted will be able to appeal if they believe an error has been made.

TikTok's European public policy head, Christine Grahn, emphasized the company's commitment to safety and security, stating, "There's no finish line when it comes to safety and security, and we will continue to learn from our community, partner with experts, and strive to do even better." The move is seen as a positive step towards creating a safer and more responsible online environment for young users.

It remains unclear whether these updates will be rolled out globally or remain limited to European users. TikTok has been approached for clarification on the matter, but no response has been received at the time of writing.

As the social media landscape continues to evolve, the importance of prioritizing user safety and well-being cannot be overstated. TikTok's decision to restrict beauty filters for teenagers is a significant step towards promoting a healthier online environment, and it will be interesting to see how other platforms respond to similar concerns in the future.