Filters and fillers: Belgian adolescents’ filter use on social media and the acceptance of cosmetic surgery

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined whether adolescents’ use of (a) body and (b) face filters was related to acceptance of cosmetic surgery (ACS) (i.e. intrapersonal and social acceptance, and intention). Attention was paid to possible differences according to adolescents’ (1) sex, (2) self-esteem, and (3) pubertal timing. A cross-sectional online survey among 333 Flemish adolescents (Mage = 16.06, SD = 1.45) with 71.2% girls was used to test the hypothesized model via structural equation modeling. The use of face filters was positively linked to social motivations of ACS and consideration of cosmetic surgery. Body filter use was only linked to social motivations of ACS. Only girls showed a link between body filter use and social ACS. The findings underline the role of filter use in adolescents’ ACS. Impact Summary Prior State of Knowledge: Research has shown that the use of social media filters increases individuals’ acceptance of cosmetic surgery (ACS). Yet, most research has focused on adults when investigating these relations. Little is known about how adolescents’ filter usage is linked to ACS. Novel Contributions: Our results underline the importance of looking at gender differences, distinguishing between different types of social media filters (i.e. face vs. body filters), and approaching ACS as a multidimensional construct by taking into account different reasons to consider cosmetic surgery. Practical Implications: Filter use played an important role in adolescents’ ACS, particularly in their perceptions on social benefits of cosmetic surgery. Practitioners developing intervention programs are advised to focus on enhancing adolescents’ cognitive skills to put especially these social benefits into perspective.