When Authenticity Is Just Another Filter

We are finding new ways to express our individuality in an increasingly connected world. Whether it’s through photo dumps or playful filters, are we truly redefining what it means to be authentic online, one post at a time?

- Cheryl Lai-Lim

The year is 2019. You snap a selfie and want to post it on your Instagram Stories. You swipe right to add the built-in “Paris” filter, and instantly, your skin seems airbrushed, your complexion brighter, and the fine lines under your eyes that you’ve been desperately smearing eye cream on disappear.

This pursuit of flawless, airbrushed perfection was the norm back then, set by influencers with meticulously curated feeds.

But today, social media filters have evolved beyond mere beauty enhancements. Platforms like Tiktok have taken filters to new heights, offering effects that go beyond mere aesthetics.

Take Tiktok’s face shape filter, designed to educate users on makeup and hairstyles that complement their face shape. Its popularity is evident from the staggering 356.6 million posts featuring the face shape filter. Similarly, the “red flag” filter, where users discover three hypothetical red flags about themselves, has also become extremely popular as it humorously reveals personality traits.

“I think I started seeing such filters around a couple of years ago. They’re fun, and can actually serve as conversation starters sometimes,” says Sasha Bagaria, a 24-year-old who works in digital marketing. “For example, my friends and I all did the red flags filter, and it got us talking about red/green/ beige flags and our dating preferences.”

These filters have become a medium for exploring who we are, not just how we look. “The popularity of personality-based filters reflects a societal shift towards introspection and self-awareness among younger demographics,” says psychologist Dr Rachel Wong.