France to Introduce a Law That Punishes Social Media Dishonesty

Findings from a study by Parliament UK show that only 5% of participants under 18 years old are happy with their appearance. If you scroll on Instagram, it’s not difficult to guess why. Even if you don’t follow accounts that rely on heavy editing and filters, those that do might be recommended to you. Whether we want it or not, we’re surrounded by images that are catered to unrealistic beauty standards. We are all affected by them to some degree. It’s human nature to compare yourself to other people, and social media makes it incredibly easy to do. I try not to compare myself to anyone, but I still experience negative thoughts once in a while.

Unfortunately, it might be impossible to backtrack and stop the trend altogether. Currently, you can not only download an app that gets rid of imperfections like acne or scars but also an app that photoshops your face in a way that isn’t immediately obvious. Sure, some filters like cat ears are easy to spot. But others might convince us that certain looks are attainable when they are not, and that’s what creates the problem. Suddenly, many young people are pursuing the impossible.

But what if there was a way to compromise and make people aware of whether someone uses an altered image?

France’s Social Media Suggestion

The French government proposed that the impact of social media is too negative and is now seeking to pass a law requiring social media users to label their photos as edited. The law would mainly affect the influencers, who would also be prohibited from using paid partnerships to promote plastic surgery. The breach of these rules would be costly. Namely, it would result in a £26,400 fine or even two years of jail time.

While the idea might come as a surprise, it’s nothing new. A similar ban was introduced in Norway in 2021. If a photo is altered (for example, the skin colour is different or body proportions are manipulated), it has to be labelled as retouched to make people aware that not everything they see online is true.

Sounds harsh? Maybe. On one hand, you could say that you have the right to alter your images in any way you want. Furthermore, it’s not your problem if other people are negatively affected. After all, those who are insecure might always be impacted by seeing people who are more attractive than them. We can’t control how everyone else feels.

Body Image and Filters

At the same time, the problem is bigger than that, and it’s affecting younger generations. While influencers might feel the law is a war against them, they’d still be able to use filters. They just can’t lie about doing it. Even though adults who were brought up before social media was a thing can spot an edit here and then, children who are raised in a world where beauty standards are this extreme might struggle with self-acceptance. According to recent findings, eight in 10 people between 18 and 21 years old dislike the way they look. Additionally, an increasing number of children face body image issues.

Personally, I like the idea. France has been trying to tackle the body image issue for quite some time. While I think banning models who are too thin isn’t the right way to do it, holding people accountable for promoting unrealistic beauty standards is a step in the right direction.

Of course, in the ideal world, young people would be made aware that what they see online doesn’t always reflect reality as a part of their education. But for now, a ban like that is better than nothing. If it goes well, maybe we can think of more effective solutions in the future.

Do you like the idea, or do you think it takes away your freedom to decide what to do with your social media account?