In a video that’s garnered nearly 400,000 views as of this writing, TikTok user Rosaura Alvarez criticized the Bold Glamour filter for what it could do to young people. In the caption, Alvarez said she suffered from body dysmorphia while growing up — and she worries the filter will contribute to the condition in others.
Indeed, Dr. Nahmias says that some people could be more susceptible to negative effects than others, such as people with low self-esteem or with internalizing symptoms such as anxiety, depression, or body dysmorphia. People who spend more time on social media are also more likely to feel the negative impact of the Bold Glamour filter.
Dr. Nahmias says there are some benefits and drawbacks to using filters such as Bold Glamour. “For some people, having the experience of seeing themselves with and without the filter may increase their understanding that many images in the media (including social media) are touched up or filtered. Using filters on social media can also be a way for someone to feel more comfortable when interacting online,” Dr. Nahmias said. “For others, over time, the use of and exposure to this filtering could lead to the development of an internalized unattainable beauty ideal and could contribute to a desire for plastic surgery to achieve it.”