Meta’s August settlement with 47 states, D.C. and three territories sounded like a big win for teen mental health: no more beauty filters that mimic cosmetic procedures or heavy makeup for users under 18. But there’s a catch. Subtle effects like skin smoothing and eye glow are still available to young users, and that’s exactly where the debate is heading.
State attorneys general now have a two-month deadline to send Meta guidance on what counts as a bannable filter. That’s trickier than it sounds, since beauty trends shift constantly and AI tools keep getting more realistic. Teen activist Mia Lerner, 17, argues the subtle edits are actually more dangerous because they’re easier to compare yourself to. Legal experts expect states to disagree on definitions, and the EU’s proposed KIDS Act would go further and ban all beauty filters for minors. Meta says enforcement on its cosmetic filter ban begins early next year.
So the real question isn’t whether filters are changing, it’s who gets to define beauty in the first place. Where do you draw the line?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.