What is TikTok's “chubby” filter trend?
Explaining the dangers it poses
Quick summary
- TikTok’s “chubby” filter (now withdrawn from TikTok) distorts appearances, making users look larger and fuelling a viral trend
- It promotes body shaming and unhealthy beauty standards, leading to self-esteem struggles and toxic comparisons
- Parents can help by promoting body positivity, blocking harmful content, and encouraging teens to recognise their self-worth
As a parent, it can feel overwhelming to keep up with the ever-changing trends on social media.
You might be wondering what your teen is seeing, what they’re not telling you, and how it’s affecting their self-esteem.
We understand the worry from speaking to lots of parents and teens – that silent fear that something online could be shaping the way your child sees themselves without you even knowing.
We keep our finger on the pulse so we can keep parents in the loop about these sorts of things, and so we want to share a concerning trend we spotted recently on TikTok: the “chubby” filter.
Thankfully, this filter is no longer available – however it's worth reading up about it even so, as it's likely in the future some variation of this could spring up.
Here, we’ll break down what the chubby filter looked like, what it means and why it’s harmful.
And, more importantly, we’ll explain how you can support your teen in navigating these kinds of harmful filters.
What is the chubby filter trend?
This filter artificially alters a user’s face to make them appear "chubbier" than they actually are.
While some might see it as a harmless effect, its use has been seriously concerning for a few reasons.
But before we get into that, let’s explore why people are using it.
Why are people using TikTok’s chubby filter?
People are knowingly using the filter for various reasons:
- To "scare" themselves into maintaining their existing body through exercise or eating habits
- To body shame figures and body weights that are different from their own
- To fish for comments about their current body
- To gain views and engagement on their page
Additionally, some users engage with the filter unknowingly, using it for a "laugh" simply because it's trending.
Why is the chubby filter trend a problem?
While some may dismiss it as just another social media fad, the reality is that this trend can have serious consequences:
- It can be triggering and upsetting for those whose body more closely resembles the "after" effects of the filter
- It can undo all the self-work many of us do to celebrate and love our bodies as they are
- It encourages unhealthy motivations for weight loss – while wanting to eat well and exercise is fine, being motivated by shame or mockery is not
- It creates an environment that promotes bullying based on physical appearances
- It exposes impressionable teens to toxic, harmful comments and "discussions"
The bigger issue behind the TikTok’s filters: distorted body ideals
A new wave of AI-generated filters on social media has fuelled the normalisation of body dysmorphia.
Filters that make users look "chubbier" or "skinnier" reinforce unrealistic beauty standards and create a culture where certain body types are either mocked or idealised.
How filters can affect teens:
- Fuels body image struggles and self-esteem issues
- Promotes unhealthy weight loss obsessions
- Creates a space where body-shaming becomes normalised
At luna, a digital wellbeing companion for teens, 1 in 8 questions are related to weight and body image. Teens frequently ask:
- "How can I lose weight quickly?"
- "I feel overweight and want to get skinny – any tips?"
- "Everyone says I’m thin, but when I look in the mirror, I see thick thighs and a bloated stomach. I’m 13 – how do I lose fat?"
Our doctors are there to support them through these struggles, and it’s important to say that luna never advocates for weight loss without good reason.
How to support your teen in dealing with this chubby filter trend
If your teen comes to you about this trend, here are some ways you can help them navigate it:
- Remind them of the popular opinion: let them know that the vast majority of people do not find this filter funny, accurate, or kind
- Help them block the videos: show them how to train their TikTok algorithm to say they’re not interested in seeing this type of content
- Encourage body positivity: reinforce that all body shapes and sizes are normal and remind them of all the amazing qualities they have beyond appearance
How to help your teen feel good about their body
At luna, we are ALL about body positivity – we want our community to love and celebrate who they are.
Did you know that after just four weeks of using luna:
- 81% of teens reported feeling neutral or positive about their body image
- There was a 75% decrease in teens saying they wanted to change something about their appearance
If you think your teen might be struggling with body image concerns, you can set them up with a subscription to luna by tapping below.
What is the key takeaway here?
At a time when body image concerns are on the rise, the conversation around social media’s role in shaping self-esteem has never been more important.
By staying aware of these trends, discussing them openly, and reinforcing positive messages, we can hopefully help teens develop a healthier relationship with their bodies and the content they consume online.
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
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