Snapchat dysmorphia is real

Kids want to look like a filter while @streetartglobe makes some waves

#YesFilter

When I first read about ‘Snapchat dysmorphia’ I laughed it off, but when plastic surgeons starting coming forward, talking about people asking them how to go under the knife in the quest to resemble the doe-eyed and flawless-skinned entities, I had to sit down for a solid minute.

In India, 17-to-25-year-olds have been stricken with this ailment. This age group is a little bizarre to me, given one’s face is even fully-formed as an adult by the time they’re 17.

Of course, Reddit users poked fun at the movement with @WafflesAndPies asking, “How are they going to graft those antlers and snouts, and where will they be harvested from?” with a response from @yucatan36 being “I’m more concerned on how many dogs may be in danger here,” alluding to the all-time favourite dog filter. @Professional_laama asks, “How many plastic surgeons can implant a halo of flowers on your head?” And the terrifying thought here is summed up by user @GerardsClaw, “What is worse, the parents must be paying.”

Of course, the trend is actually pointing at the nuanced ideas of perfection. One writer, William Gibson, has surmised it rather romantically, “Most phone programs were equipped with cosmetic video sub-programs, written to bring the video image of the owner into greater accordance with the more widespread paradigms of personal beauty, erasing blemishes and subtly moulding facial outlines to meet idealised statistical norms.” And of course, yours truly has often wondered, ‘Wow, the jawline on this filter is just goals.’

There’s a ray of hope though — with parts of social media finally becoming more and more accepting of stretch marks, acne, cellulite and hyperpigmentation, there’s some resistance. And like any Internet-inspired trend, however crazy it may be, it’ll die out soon... but what about the kids who’ve gone through the surgery?

For inspiration

In times I need visual inspiration, Instagram account @streetartglobe packs quite a creative punch. The account has amassed over 7.2 million followers and for all the right reasons.

The account also has its own YouTube channel with over half-a-million subscribers, and a Facebook page with over 4.2 million likes.

Whether it’s trippy videos featuring melding works of art or a person’s version of a given art piece, there are over 5,000 posts to explore and to unite a community seeking artsy airs. Plus, the posts all have some kind of political overtones, to which a nyone on the spectrum will relate.

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