Social media and perception of beauty: Using filters on Instagram

Communication has been the determining factor in the relationship between individuals in every period. An individual's communication with the environment he/she belongs to is also effective in his/her approach to himself /herself. With the spread of social media, communication has gained a different dimension. Unlike other media channels, social media has spread to a wide area at a great speed. It creates a space where users can share their ideas, opinions, likes and knowledge. Easily sharing online and instantaneously is one of the most important benefits of social media. It can provide simple and rapid dissemination of information to reach hard-to-reach audiences. Communication, which has transformed with social media over time, has even begun to affect the impressions we give with our appearance. The perception of beauty, which was created by various factors in the past, is now created through social media. Various effects, filters, face and body shape changing applications have become very popular in recent years. The fact that people do not share such applications without using them in their photographs, do not take their photographs without using a filter, or do not find themselves competent without making changes to a photograph taken is due to the perception of beauty transformed by social media. This research aims to study the relationship between the use of filters on Instagram, which has become widespread recently, and the change in the perception of beauty. Research findings reveal that users tend to perfect their appearance and prefer to make themselves look more beautiful than they actually are. The reason for this is to feel more self-confident, as well as being influenced by well-known people. In summary, it is possible to say that social media affects individuals' perceptions of beauty by allowing the use of various tools such as filters. Keywords : Communication, Social Media, Beauty Perception, Instagram, Effect, Filter