#arfilters

At first, I thought it was simply good makeup, good photography skills or people being aware of their best angles. Sometimes I genuinely have no idea whether a photo has been edited, filtered or completely unedited. Everything just looks so polished nowadays ✨.

Most people think filters are just harmless little tools that make photos look nicer. Maybe they brighten the lighting, smooth your skin or add a cute effect to their story. But modern filters can do a lot more than that. Some can reshape facial features, alter skin texture, adjust face proportions and subtly change the way someone looks without most people even noticing.

Which makes me wonder...

How much of what we see online is actually a person, and how much of it is software? 👀

Instagram Filters Are More Powerful Than We Think 🎭 One thing that makes Instagram filters so interesting is that they are no longer just decorations. Many of the filters we have used today are actually "Augmented Reality (AR)" where digital effects are directly onto our faces and surroundings in real life.

A few years ago, AR filters were mostly used for fun. People would turn themselves into puppies or wear flower crowns. Even the superzoom love effect was a whole trend 😭

I swear to god... those are the OG instagram filters. Now they are much more advanced. Some AR filters can instantly smooth skin, brighten eyes, slim facial features and adjust lighting while the camera is still recording.

The changes happen so quickly that sometimes it's hard for people to believe that they are looking at a digitally enhanced version of reality. The Software Is Making Decisions For Us🤖 This is where software literacy becomes really important. It is also to know how technology influences what we observe and how we see the world around us 🌍. An AR filter automatically removes acne and softens wrinkles or changes facial proportions and the software makes decisions about what is considered attractive.

When it comes to faces, it subtly implies that one version of a face looks better than the other. Software has a significant influence on digital culture, as many of our experiences online are influenced by technological systems that work behind the scenes (Manovich, 2011). It actively influences how people create content and how audiences interpret it.

The "No Filter" Filter 😭 One of the funniest things about social media is that many filters are designed to look like there is no filter at all 😭. People use filters to create the appearance of being completely natural.

The selfie may seem completely natural, but there could be AR face tracking, smoothing of the skin, lighting adjustments and some subtle changes in the face going on at the same time. The technology becomes almost invisible, but its influence does not.

Even Celebrities Got Called Out 🔥 This is not just something that happens with influencers. Celebrities have also faced criticism when followers suspected that beauty filters or editing tools were being used on social media.

Madison Beer is an example, as she has been the centre of focus for many online discussions regarding beauty standards and photo editing. Some social media users have accused her of heavily editing photos or using beauty filters, while others argue that her appearance is simply the result of makeup and lighting. They are surprised because they believed the image was completely natural. This is a reminder of the importance people still give to being honest and genuine on the internet.

Why Digital Citizenship Matters ⚠️ The word digital citizenship is used and most people immediately think of online safety, privacy settings or avoiding cyberbullying. All that is important of course, but I think there is another side to it which people don't talk about enough. It's also a learning process of how to think critically about the information we're taking in on a daily basis. When we see a perfectly edited selfie on Instagram, we probably might pause and reflect on a few questions.

Is this image filtered?

How was this content created?

According to Scholarworks et al. (2019), digital citizenship involves developing the knowledge and critical thinking skills needed to use technology responsibly.  With so many filters that can change a person's looks within a few seconds, these skills are more important than ever before.

It is knowing how Instagram might be influencing the way we see reality. So... Can We Still Trust What We See Online? 🌙 The thing about Instagram filters is, they are not inherently bad or good ⚖️.

These are used for harmless purposes by most people. Some use them for creativity, some use them for entertainment, and others like to experiment with the different looks. There is nothing wrong with that. The issue is forgetting that the filter exists. As AR filters become more advanced, they are becoming harder to detect. The technology is meant to be invisible, meaning that digital enhancement can be confused with reality without people even realising.

Not because we need to stop using filters. One thing is for sure, technology will continue to progress no matter what. But the more we understand how these tools work, the better we become at recognising when technology is quietly influencing what we see, what we believe and sometimes even how we see ourselves 📱✨.

Hi everyone 👋 welcome back to my blog!

In this week's reflection, I will be discussing digital citizenship and software literacy through the use of Instagram filters. Instagram filters have become a common feature of social media, allowing users to enhance photos and videos with just a few taps. While filters can be creative and entertaining, they also raise important questions about digital citizenship and how people understand the technology they use.

Software literacy refers to the ability to understand, evaluate, and use digital tools effectively. In today's digital world, it is not enough to simply know how to use an app. Users should also understand how software influences the content they see and create online (Pangrazio & Selwyn, 2021). Instagram filters are a good example because they use augmented reality (AR) technology to modify a person's appearance in real time.

Many Instagram filters can smooth skin, brighten eyes, reshape facial features, and create idealised versions of beauty. While these effects may seem harmless, they can influence how users view themselves and others. Research has shown that appearance-altering filters can contribute to body dissatisfaction and unrealistic beauty expectations, particularly among young people (Vendemia et al., 2021).

From a digital citizenship perspective, users should be aware that filtered images do not always reflect reality. Being a responsible digital citizen means thinking critically about the content we post and consume online. It also involves understanding how social media platforms encourage certain beauty standards through popular filters and trends (Choi, 2020).

At the same time, Instagram filters can be used positively. Many creators use filters for artistic expression, storytelling, education, and entertainment. Software literacy helps users recognise both the benefits and limitations of these tools. By understanding how filters work, users can make more informed decisions about their online behaviour and digital identity.

Overall, Instagram filters demonstrate the connection between software literacy and digital citizenship. As social media technology continues to evolve, users need the skills to critically evaluate digital tools and understand their impact on self-image, communication, and online culture.

Reference

Choi, M. (2020). Digital citizenship for democratic citizenship: A challenge for transformative learning. Adult Learning, 31(4), 141–148. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/306930360_A_Concept_Analysis_of_Digital_Citizenship_for_Democratic_Citizenship_Education_in_the_Internet_Age

Pangrazio, L., & Selwyn, N. (2021). Towards a school-based ‘critical data education’. Pedagogy, Culture & Society, 29(3), 431–448. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340313639_Towards_a_school-based_'critical_data_education'

This week’s lecture explored the growing use of Augmented Reality (AR) filters on social media platforms such as Instagram and Snapchat. AR filters allow users to combine digital elements with the real world, creating modified versions of themselves through their smartphone cameras. While these filters can be entertaining and creative, they also raise important questions about beauty standards, self-perception, and mental health.

One of the most interesting ideas discussed in the lecture was that filters do not simply “remove” imperfections. Instead, they add new features and enhance appearance by smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, reshaping facial structures, and creating idealised versions of users. As a result, many people become accustomed to seeing filtered versions of themselves rather than their real appearance.

The lecture also introduced the concept of “Instagram Face,” which refers to a common beauty ideal promoted by social media filters. Features such as flawless skin, full lips, high cheekbones, and a slim facial structure are repeatedly presented as desirable. Because millions of users are exposed to these standards every day, beauty ideals become increasingly standardised and unrealistic.

Another important concept was “Snapchat Dysmorphia.” Traditionally, people seeking cosmetic surgery often used celebrity photos as references. However, recent studies suggest that some individuals now want cosmetic procedures to make themselves look like their filtered selfies. This demonstrates how digital technologies can influence real-world decisions and body image perceptions.

Personally, I use filters occasionally when taking photos with friends. Before this lecture, I viewed filters mainly as a fun feature. However, I now realise that frequent exposure to filtered images may affect how people evaluate their own appearance. When everyone appears flawless online, it becomes easier to compare ourselves negatively with others.

At the same time, AR filters are not entirely negative. They can be used creatively for entertainment, storytelling, and self-expression. Filters also allow users to experiment with different identities and visual styles. Therefore, the issue is not the technology itself but how it is used and how aware users are of its effects.

Overall, this lecture helped me understand the complex relationship between AR filters, beauty culture, and self-image. As AR technology continues to develop, it is important for users to critically evaluate what they see online and remember that filtered images do not always represent reality.

What I found most interesting about this topic is how normalised beauty filters have become. I personally use filters occasionally when taking photos with friends because they can make pictures look more attractive. However, after learning about concepts such as “Instagram Face” and “Snapchat Dysmorphia”, I realised that constantly seeing filtered images may slowly change our expectations of what a normal face should look like.

In my opinion, AR filters are not inherently harmful. They can be fun, creative, and useful for self-expression. The problem occurs when people begin comparing themselves to unrealistic filtered versions of others or even themselves. Social media users should be aware that filters are digital enhancements rather than reality.

References

Rettberg, J.W. (2014) Seeing Ourselves Through Technology. London: Palgrave Macmillan.

Rajanala, S., Maymone, M.B.C. and Vashi, N.A. (2018) ‘Selfies—Living in the Era of Filtered Photographs’, JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, 20(6), pp. 443–444.

Miller, L. (2022) Augmented Reality (AR) Filters. Week 9 Lecture Slides, Swinburne University.

Celebrity Culture, AR Filters and Unrealistic Beauty Standards 

I thought about the increasing impact of celebrity culture on social media after attending this week's lecture on Augmented Reality (AR) filters. AR filters enable users to create improved versions of themselves by adding virtual elements on real-world photos and videos (Azuma, 1997). These filters may appear innocent and amusing, yet they are now strongly associated with digital beauty standards and celebrity culture. 

The idea of the "Instagram Face" was one that caught my attention. According to Lavrence and Cambre (2020), filters have developed from obvious and lighthearted effects into subtle editing techniques that are now commonplace on social media sites. Online, celebrities, influencers, and content creators routinely display idealized versions of themselves. They frequently use beauty filters to modify facial features, smooth skin, enlarge eyes, and create a more polished image. Audiences may start to see these altered photos as realistic standards of beauty as a result of their frequent exposure to them. 

The Social Comparison Theory (Festinger, 1954), which argues that people naturally compare themselves to others, can be connected to this concept. Users may feel unsatisfied with their appearance when they contrast filtered celebrity photos with their normal appearance. Additionally, the course materials emphasized how beauty technology might lead to negative upward comparison, self-objectification, and low self-esteem (Tiggemann & Zaccardo, 2015). These results show that AR filters are cultural mechanisms that influence the definition and value of beauty in addition to being technology tools. 

However, I believe it is critical to take into account both positive and negative viewpoints. On the one hand, filters may raise pressure to meet social norms and promote unattainable beauty standards. However, they can also offer chances for self-expression, creativity, and identity development. Some users challenge rather than reinforce traditional norms by using filters artistically rather than for aesthetic purposes.

All things considered, the connection between AR filters and celebrity culture shows how technology affects social behavior and self-perception. The widespread use of filtered photos poses major questions on identity, beauty, and authenticity in digital environments. As social media users, we ought to be more wary of the material we take in and acknowledge that a lot of the pictures we see online do not truly reflect the world. 

References 

Instagram. (2025). Instagram. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/

Azuma, R. T. (1997). A Survey of Augmented Reality. Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Environments, 6(4), 355–385. https://doi.org/10.1162/pres.1997.6.4.355

Festinger, L. (1954). A theory of social comparison processes. Human Relations, 7(2), 117–140.

Lavrence, C., & Cambre, C. (2020). “Do I look like my selfie?” Filters and the digital-forensic gaze. Social Media + Society, 6(4), 1–13.