Recently, there have been calls for a new law which would mean it would become mandatory for advertisers and influencers to declare any images that have been altered digitally.
This new law has been proposed by Dr Luke Evans MP and has been backed by various celebrities and charities including GirlGuiding.
It is argued that this will help tackle the unrealistic portrayals of people’s image on social media. This would be key to preventing a rise in mental health problems caused by a false perception of beauty. People exposed to these heavily doctored images can suffer low self-esteem or even depression.
A survey by GirlGuiding showed that 43% of girls say that they have seen adverts online that made them feel under pressure to look different. The same survey also found that 45% of girls aged 11-16 are using apps and filters to make themselves look better.
However, it has been said that this new law, which will be heard in parliament for the first time on 15th September, would be difficult to enforce.
France already has similar legislation in place which requires any commercial image that has been digitally altered must include a warning. Any photo that has been altered must include the warning “photographie retouchée” which translates as “edited photograph”. Those who break the rules face a fine. Further, models working in France must provide a medical letter confirming they are of healthy weight before they are allowed to work.
What do we mean by ‘digitally altered’?
Digitally altering a photograph means to change the reality of it. It could mean adding something, removing something, adjusting shapes, changing or adding colours or anything else that changes the photograph from its original format.
For example, airbrushing may be used to adjust a person’s body shape, remove a scar or apply make up.
Nowadays, it is very easy to digitally alter a photograph. You don’t even need specialist software. There are hundreds of free apps available for your smartphone which can enhance or edit a photograph in a matter of minutes.
