Influencers in Norway are looking for ways to change their approach toward social media posts. Back in July, lawmakers stated that all retouched photos need to have a label saying they've been retouched. This news has been out for a few weeks, but currently, influencers are trying to figure out how this will affect their brand moving forward.
While retouching is often a big part of photography, influencers often edit their pictures to make themselves look better without admitting that to their followers. That helps their overall image, and it might get them more followers — which means the potential to earn more money.
But the country is taking a stand to try to tame the body dysmorphia that these images may cause. Still, people are wondering if this step is enough.
Since sites like Instagram and Facebook are so popular in keeping us connected, it might be too late to add these labels to photos. It's possible the damage has already been done. Influencers often make a living by showcasing their best lives, so it's tough for viewers to compare. While there's a lot of pressure that influencers do face off-camera, those struggles are never seen online. That would defeat the purpose.
The decision was made by the Norwegian Ministry of Children and Family Affairs, and it was a popular one — it passed with 72 to 15 votes. With such a great majority voting for this to pass, you need to wonder how problematic these images really are. They can affect people in ways they might not realize.
Oftentimes, images are edited to become almost unreal. Stomachs are thinned out, women often look more shapely, and influencers always seem to know their best poses. Projecting these images out and gaining a lot of likes sends a message — that these people are more desirable and worthy than others, when they had to quietly be edited to be that way.
The standardized label that will soon appear on these photo-edited images is set to be designed by the ministry. These will also be required for images that use filters. Norway is serious about the change — if someone posts an image without the label in place, they can be fined — or even jailed, if it's a repeat offense.
That said, the ministry is aware that the law may be hard to enforce. If viewers can't tell that an image has been edited, it can be difficult to pinpoint photos that openly refuse to use the label. But at the very least, it's a step in the right direction. It's a reminder that sometimes, what you see on social media isn't something you should fully believe.
For influencers who have stayed true to themselves and have gained a following due to showcasing their real lives, they shouldn't be as concerned. They're projecting actual imagery of their day without being softened, brightened, or manipulated in any way. It's just a shame that these influencers are somewhat few and far between.
Now there's pressure as to whether or not other countries might join in. Sophia Auld of Australia Christian College penned an article on the correlation between social media and self-esteem, stating that this is a larger problem than many of us know. Sometimes, we just don't know we're being affected by these images. Even if we don't follow the accounts or buy the products, it can still weigh on our minds.
"While social media is sometimes touted to combat loneliness, a significant body of research suggests it may have the opposite effect," Auld writes. "By triggering comparison with others, it can raise doubts about self-worth, potentially leading to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression." When someone sees an image filled with likes and comments, it's all too easy to compare to a recent photo share that didn't score half of the amount of attention.
The label is just a reminder that the image shown is manipulated. It's a real-life moment that's been edited to achieve a certain result. It's created for engagement and nothing else. And hopefully, that distinction will remind people that they should love their own bodies for what they do and stop comparing themselves to people who literally need to create a false sense of self to get attention.
Sometimes, just a little bit of regulation can make a huge difference. While influencers can still post whatever they want, they just need to remind their audience that a lot of work went into changing the image to become more marketable in their eyes. Hopefully, it'll inspire people to be their authentic selves — since that's what's truly beautiful.
