The Norwegian government created a new law that forces influencers to disclose whether they retouch the photos posted on their social networks. The idea is that, with the new law, all paid publications that are made by influencers will have some legend indicating that the image was modified.
These days it is not uncommon to find all kinds of images on social media and dating applications that may be very different from reality. Images of people posted on Instagram, Tinder or other social network wind up being a distortion of what people are in real life.
For some years there has been an increase in cases of depression and anxiety among young people who frequent social networks, one of the reasons for these disorders is precisely that the content they consume shows models of ‘perfect’ bodies that not everyone can have.
Studies have found that when being exposed to images posted on social networks, many people may feel unhappy with their bodies, a kind of disappointment at not having the type of body they consider ‘perfect’ for society.
Some Norwegian influencers have welcomed the new law. Madeleine Pedersen, a 26-year-old girl who has thousands of followers on her Instagram account. Pedersen stated in an interview with the BBC that it is time for rules that prevent young people from comparing themselves to images that are not real.
There are so many people that are insecure about their body or face. I have struggled with body issues because of Instagram, back in the day
Madeleine Pedersen, influencer
Over the years, dozens of cases of suicides or serious injuries have been reported when young people attempted to look like the people who have thousands of followers on their social media accounts.
Several studies indicate that many photographs used for advertising wind up retouching several elements such as the skin, the shape of the body, they use filters or even false angles so that the photos show a ‘fake reality’.
The worst part is that I don’t even know if the other girls I looked up to did edit their photos or not. That’s why we all need answers. We need this law
Madeleine Pedersen, influencer
The influence that social networks can have on people’s mental health caused a rise in suicide cases, especially among people with depression and who felt rejection on social networks.
According to the BBC, a study in the UK found that the majority of under 18-year-olds declared that social media images were “extremely influential” on their body image. Only 5% said they wouldn’t consider changing their appearance by doing things like dieting or getting surgery.
Em Clarkson, an influencer based in London, told the BBC that needed to take the issue more seriously and implement a law like Norway’s.
When I was 16 I downloaded Photoshop and learnt how to Photoshop myself so I could upload this bikini picture of me to Facebook. All the indicators are showing mental health problems, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, it’s all on the rise
Em Clarkson, influencer
