What is this story of the “Chubby Filter”, the Tiktok filter that makes you fat (and that makes us horrify)

We live in an era in which the idea of ​​a healthy body is associated almost automatically with one Slary figure, toned and free of imperfections. Cellulite, stretch marks and any natural sign of the body are often seen as defects to be eliminated.

This unrealistic standard is amplified by social media, where filters and editing allow you to delete any imperfection with a simple touch. Consequently, the perception of reality is distorted, and the acceptance of one’s body becomes increasingly difficult, especially for the youngest.

To counteract this phenomenon, platforms such as Tiktok And Instagram have decided to ban beauty filters to minors. The goal is to protect the mental health of teenagers, reducing the risk of insecurities, frustrations and potential disorders related to body image. The decision stems from the awareness that the massive use of filters alters the perception of oneself and feeds unreachable aesthetic standards, leading many people to feel inadequate.

The filter removed

Despite the elimination of many beauty filters, the problem persists in other forms. An emblematic example is the Chubby Filtera filter that uses artificial intelligence to modify the features of the face and body, simulating a weight increase of about 30 kg.

Users use it apparently playfulcomparing their real image with the altered one, often accompanied by negative comments. In many videos people underline how the gym and a rigorous diet were necessary to avoid “reducing themselves”.

Tiktok has removed The filter from the platform after the controversies, declaring that he wants to protect the youngest from content that could strengthen harmful insecurities and stereotypes. However, the fact that such a filter has been popular demonstrates how deeply the obsession with the weight is And how much is still associated with the thinness of beauty and personal value.

The toxic culture of the diet and its effects

The problem does not only concern the filter itself, but the message below: There are the right bodies and wrong bodies. Those who have an appearance similar to the “after” of the filter will inevitably feel offended and denigrated. This type of content does not promote a healthy lifestyle, but feeds a vicious circle of body dissatisfactionwhich can lead to anxiety, depression and eating disorders.

In our society, sport and healthy nutrition should be tools to feel good, not means to conform to an imposed aesthetic ideal. It is essential to change narrative and promote a more inclusive vision of the body, in which health is not synonymous with thinness, but of physical and mental well -being. A change that cannot fail to start (also) from social media.