A TikTok AI tool called the "Fat Filter" has sparked controversy, with users calling on the platform to disable it. This filter modifies photos to make people appear heavier, and many users have shared before-and-after photos, often using them for jokes. However, other users argue that this constitutes "body shaming" and should not be allowed on the platform.
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03-25, 2025Experts warn that this filter could fuel a "toxic diet culture" online and potentially lead to eating disorders. Dr. Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, stated that this trend is a "huge step backwards" in terms of weight discrimination, perpetuating stereotypes of larger-bodied people as lazy, flawed, and something to be avoided at all costs. This highlights the potential for negative psychological impact.
Several TikTok users have expressed feeling uncomfortable with the filter. Sadie, a TikTok user with 66,000 followers, considers the filter "very mean" and has called for its ban. She mentioned that women have told her they deleted TikTok because the trend made them feel bad about themselves. Nina also believes that the filter promotes a "narrative" that links appearance to self-worth, which is a toxic perspective.
The emergence of this filter has also raised concerns about TikTok's algorithm. A BBC journalist reported that the filter appeared on her "For You" page even though she doesn't follow any weight or health-related content. After watching related videos and reading comments, TikTok's algorithm began recommending similar videos, even including another AI filter that could make people appear thinner, showing how easily the algorithm can promote potentially harmful content.
While TikTok has many harmless filters, tools like the "Fat Filter" can potentially harm people's mental health and encourage them to compare themselves to unrealistic images. Users are urging TikTok to take action, such as flagging content that includes body shaming or eating disorder themes, preventing it from being pushed to a wider audience, and thereby mitigating its potential negative effects.
