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The pros and cons of Instagram and Snapchat filters

In this era of the advance of technology, many people nowadays rely on filters. This is because filters can enhance and beautify their photos and appearance until it reaches expectation. According to a study, 18% of Instagram users frequently share snaps with filters to improve their images (Pettersson 2017). However, everything has pros and cons. In this post, I will share some advantages and disadvantages of using both Instagram and Snapchat filters.

Firstly, using filters, users can express themselves creatively and add original visual elements to their content. They can convert ordinary images into exciting and beautiful compositions, raising their aesthetic value. Filters can instantly enhance the appearance of pictures and videos by adjusting lighting, colours, and contrast. Without the need for advanced editing techniques, they can improve images' vibrancy, polish, and professional look. Not only that, but filters also allow users to experiment with various looks, styles and moods, enabling them to express their personality and creativity. For example, there is one of the popular filters where we can try different hair colours to see how it looks if it is our actual hair colour. They can convey a specific message or topic, showcase personal interests, or represent individual preferences. In addition, filters can increase users' self-esteem by giving them the chance to present themselves in a way that fits with the image they want to show. Users may experience more confidence and comfort when sharing their content with specific features that could improve or refine their dissatisfaction.

Besides that, just because filters have so many advantages, many people are relying on filters, especially Gen Z. By using filters, users were able to view probable alternatives to their current features, which also made defects they may have previously thought to be innate and unsolvable to now seem like minor issues (Javornik, Marder, Pizzetti & Warlop 2021). This has affected the unrealistic beauty standards towards users. Some filters on both platforms, which change face characteristics, skin tones, or body proportions, may promote unrealistic beauty standards. This could cause people to compare themselves to others, feel insufficient, and start having body image problems. Not only that, social pressure to adhere to particular beauty standards or trends may result from the accessibility and popularity of specific filters. This pressure may cause people to change their looks to conform to the filtered ideals, thus compromising their true nature and sense of self-acceptance. In addition, overexposure to filtered images, especially those that uphold unrealistic expectations, can harm mental health. Particularly in vulnerable people, it can contribute to low self-esteem, body dysmorphia, and feelings of inadequacy.

In conclusion, Instagram and Snapchat filters offer creativity and the ability to enhance photos and videos, but they also have potential drawbacks. Users should be mindful of the impact that filters may affect their sense of self, perceptions of their bodies, and mental health.

References:

Javornik, A, Marder, B, Pizzetti, M, & Warlop, L 2021, Research: How AR Filters Impact People’s Self-Image, Harvard Business Review, viewed 16 Jun 2023, <https://hbr.org/2021/12/research-how-ar-filters-impact-peoples-self-image>. 

Pettersson, S 2017, Statistics: How filters are used by Instagram’s most successful users, Medium, viewed 16 Jun 2023, <https://medium.com/@stpe/statistics-how-filters-are-used-by-instagrams-most-successful-users-d44935f87fa9#:~:text=But%20to%20what%20extent%20are,all%20photos%20use%20a%20filter.>.