Studies suggest children are having their self-esteem harmed by filters that ape the effects of cosmetic surgery

Just one click on the “glossy babe” filter and the teenager’s face was subtly elongated, her nose made neater and a dusting of freckles sprinkled across her cheeks. Next, a “glow makeup” filter erased skin blemishes, puffed her lips into a rosebud and extended her eyelashes far beyond what makeup could achieve. With a third click her face was back to reality.

Hundreds of millions of people now use beauty filters to alter their appearance on apps including Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok. This week TikTok announced new worldwide restrictions on children’s access to those that ape the effects of cosmetic surgery.