Snapchat remains one of the most popular social media apps for teens. Image via Snapchat.

Snapchat’s most recent filters are giving teens and younger girls unrealistic beauty standards.

When Snapchat filters were first created several years ago, they were all funny, like the iconic dog, flower crown, and rainbow vomit. But what had been a funny, cute idea now has turned into trouble for teenagers.

Clicking on the filters now brings up looks that are out of this world and which create unhealthy beauty standards. Filters like “Fresh Light” and “Bold Glamour” elongate the face, make every facial feature look perfect, and blur out blemishes on the skin.

Since these filters are gaining popularity, there is the risk that some teens and young people will grow less happy with their actual faces. These filters could make young people more insecure and more susceptible to body dysmorphia.

Young girls can easily fall victim to these issues because they are less comfortable with who they are. What they see in a Snapchat filter could become what they want to look like in real life. Some buy makeup, which is not needed for their age and appearance, or try to cover their faces with foundation or concealer.

Creating these unrealistic beauty standards can harm kids’ and teenagers’ mental health and raise false expectations for personal appearance. What once started as a fun little filter trend can be creating serious problems for young people.

These types of filters are all over social media, so parents should watch what their children are doing on their phones so they do not fall into this trap.

Snapchat is officially for users who are at least 13 years old, though younger people are able to get around that age limit. The app should reconsider these unrealistic beauty filters to reduce problems for teens and young people.