Let’s talk about social media and how it’s used to to create a false perception of what’s real, especially when it comes to filters and editing your pictures and your safe honestly, to make you look perfect.

Well, basically, I mean, people use filters and there’s different filters that work for better skin tones, and people use them to look different, and it either helps them gain likes and comments, or it helps them decrease their likes and comments. So it’s basically promoting a false version of yourself to gain other people’s approval and validation.

What do you think the effects of filters are on people? Especially, like the use mental health? Because I know all these kids use filters.

I think it makes you feel like they’re supposed to look different and that looking your natural or for girls, like not wearing makeup. It’s not supposed to happen. And it’s basically that you’re supposed to wear a filter, you’re supposed to look different to be liked in public, and that if you go as your natural, then it’s not the same, that it’s not welcomed by the community.

So what do you think we can do to combat this expectation and standard?

I think self awareness and self confidence are important in this one. I think there’s too many kids that don’t realize that they’re doing it and don’t realize that it’s actually taking a toll on their mental health. And I think realizing that I might use a filter, but it doesn’t change anything about me, nor does it change the validation that I should be receiving, like, in general, and how my appearances doesn’t actually change my personalities.