Demi Lovato Called Out Social Media Filters for Being 'Dangerous'

Trying out filters and editing tools might seem like an easy, harmless way to have a little fun with your selfies, especially since pretty much every smartphone app has a myriad of options, allowing for easy experimentation. But if you've ever felt bummed because you don't see an IRL Instagram filter looking back at you in the mirror, Demi Lovato feels you.

Related: How Celebrity Social Media Affects Your Mental Health and Body Image

On Sunday, Lovato posted a new video on Instagram and TikTok in which they get real about "unrealistic beauty expectations" they've experienced as a result of using filters on social media. In the clip, they can be seen playing around with a filter, showing off noticeably smoother skin, a smaller nose, and other edits to their features with the caption, "Open fully for a friendly reminder 💖💖💖."

The 28-year-old artist calls out the so-called updates by adding text captions on top of the video that read, "These aren't my real eyes," "My skin is not this smooth," and "Wait do I need a smaller nose?" (See: Cassey Ho "Decoded" Instagram's Beauty Standard—Then Photoshopped Herself to Match It)

Lovato also apologizes for using the filters themself "without realizing how dangerous they were before" — especially when it comes to how they might impact their younger fan base. "Thank God these weren't around when I was 13 but also...how are teens supposed to learn to accept themselves w[ith] this shit," they write in other text captions.

This isn't the first time Lovato's opened up about body/self-image — in fact, they've been candid about their struggles with disordered eating and body image for years. In 2019 they shared that they were done editing bikini photos after years of feeling ashamed about their body and just a few months ago, they celebrated their stretch marks with a close-up, glittery shot of them posted on IG. And with close to 100 million followers on Instagram and 1.5 million on TikTok, it's understandable why the "What Other People Say" singer might feel a responsibility to use their platform in a way that supports their massive fanbase and their own experiences with body acceptance and self-confidence.

Along with learning more about how filters can impact their own self-image (and the feelings their fans might have), Lovato has shared other tips and tricks they rely on to help maintain a healthy, positive relationship with social media. Not only do they take social media breaks from time to time, but they also aren't afraid to mute people — yes, even their friends — if they find that they're comparing real-life themself to what they portray of themselves online.

Taking time away from the apps, muting anyone who might be negatively impacting your self/body-image (or deleting them in entirety, btw), and sharing unfiltered images are all great ways to achieve a healthier balance that might help you feel better during your daily scroll sessions. Though Instagram is considered the worst platform for your mental health, they just rolled out changes to support people with eating disorders and body image issues, hopefully making social media a safer and more positive place for everyone.