Are we finally closer to the day when we bid adieu to false beauty standards that are driving the world crazy? I can’t speak about the rest of the world, but Norway has new regulations in place that are pushing back against unrealistic beauty standards on social media platforms to curb body dysmorphia (a disorder is a mental health disorder in which you can’t stop thinking about one or more perceived defects or flaws in your appearance) in the country. The picture-perfect smiles, not an extra gram of weight around the belly, missing muffin tops are all going to be history as the local parliament passed a new advertising law that renders the labeling of retouched images mandatory.
This applies to both advertising photos and images on social media in which something has been edited on the body, skin, or size of the model. These changes will cover images where lips, waistlines, and muscles are exaggerated after the photo is taken so those created with a filter in place. Violations of the law will face escalating fines, with extreme cases potentially facing imprisonment. Norwegian influencer Annijor Jørgensen commented on the legislation, “Filters are something that should be fun. Something you can laugh at, or be allowed to have a realistic butterfly on your face.” Similarly, the UK regulator for advertising called Advertising Standard Agency (ASA) also launched a new initiative in a move to make influencers more transparent about what they are paid to promote on their social media. They even called out popular influencers like Chloe Ferry, Chloe Khan, Jodie Marsh, and Lucy Mecklenburgh for not labeling paid posts and flouting rules.
The Norway ministry said in a statement, “A requirement for retouched or otherwise manipulated advertising to be marked is one measure against body pressure (that) will hopefully make a useful and significant contribution to curbing the negative impact that such advertising has, especially on children and young people.
Body pressure is present in the workplace, public space, home, and various media. Body pressure is always there, often imperceptibly, and is difficult to combat.” Here’s hoping this will set a precedent for a healthier, freer, judgment-free social media experience with several countries the following suit.
[Via – Vice]
