INSTAGRAM vs REALITY

Are photo filters damaging the self-esteem of our children? 

- FRANCESCA WOODSTOCK

Every day, millions of people take to social media to upload pictures of themselves – but how lifelike are the photos we see? Perhaps unsurprisingly, a staggering 90% of young women admit to editing photos of themselves before posting online*.

Recently, when Peter Andre posted a picture of his two eldest children, Junior, 17, and Princess, 15, he praised their natural beauty in the unedited snap, but the teens struggled to believe they could look so good without photo touch-ups and had to be convinced it was the way they truly looked.

Whether it’s to disguise blemishes, add make-up, whiten teeth, cinch waists or lengthen legs, filters give instant results.

But this distorted representation can leave young people feeling unhappy with their true reflection when they look in the mirror.

So should we be worried about the impact edited images are having on our teens? Woman investigates.

WOMAN INVESTIGATES

‘I’LL ALWAYS BOOST THEIR CONFIDENCE SO THEY DON’T FEEL INSECURE’

Julia Champion, 53, is mum to Rosie, 16, and Bella, 13. They live in south London. Watching my daughter glued to her phone, I peered over her shoulder to see what she was up to. Posting selfies, again.