TikTok users are calling for a viral AI filter that makes people appear overweight to be banned from the platform, with many criticising it as a form of body shaming. Known as the “chubby filter,” the tool uses artificial intelligence to modify a person’s photo, making them look as though they have gained weight. While some users have shared before-and-after images for comedic effect, others argue that the filter promotes harmful body standards and contributes to a “toxic diet culture” online.
The filter, which has gained popularity on TikTok, has prompted widespread concern, with experts warning that it could fuel issues related to eating disorders, body dissatisfaction, and mental health struggles. Despite requests for comment, TikTok has yet to respond to the controversy surrounding the filter.
Sadie, a TikTok creator from Bristol with 66,000 followers, is among those leading the call for the filter’s removal. She shared her concern about the negative impact it could have on young people’s self-image, saying, “It felt like girls being like, ‘oh, I’ve won because I’m skinny, and wouldn’t it be the worst thing ever to be fat.'” Sadie explained that she had been contacted by women who admitted to deleting TikTok from their phones because the trend made them feel bad about their own bodies.
“I just don’t feel like people should be ridiculed for their body just for opening an app,” Sadie added. She believes the filter, which transforms people into heavier versions of themselves, reinforces harmful stereotypes and encourages a culture of comparison and body shaming.
Dr Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, echoed these concerns, stating that the filter represents “a huge step backwards” in tackling weight stigma. She explained that it perpetuates harmful stereotypes about larger bodies, labelling them as “lazy” or “flawed,” which could have serious consequences for social attitudes. “The fear of weight gain contributes to eating disorders and body dissatisfaction,” she said. “It fuels toxic diet culture, making people obsess over food and exercise in unhealthy ways, and opening them up to scams and fad diets.”
Dr. Beckett also warned that such trends put pressure on individuals to conform to narrow standards of beauty and health, which can negatively affect both physical and mental health.
Several TikTok users have shared their own discomfort with the filter. Nina, a TikTok user from north Wales, described the filter as part of a wider “toxic view” that equates a person’s worth with their appearance. “This is a toxic view that I thought we were moving away from,” she said, adding that the filter should be removed if it is clearly offensive. “If a filter is clearly offensive, it should be removed,” Nina stated.
Emma, a user from Ayr, also voiced her concern, saying that the filter made her feel disheartened. As a curvier woman, she pointed out that the “after” image from the filter resembles her natural appearance, making her feel as though she was being unfairly labelled as “disgusting” simply for being “chubby.”
“I thought how damaging that would be for people to see this and then feel bad about themselves,” Emma said. She believes that the filter reinforces harmful narratives about body image and perpetuates unrealistic beauty standards. “People were basically saying they looked disgusting because they were ‘chubby.’”
While many TikTok users have expressed their dislike for the filter, some have suggested potential solutions. Sadie proposed that TikTok could add a warning system for filters that may promote body shaming or trigger eating disorders. “Maybe it should have a warning,” she said. “If there are themes of body shaming or an eating disorder or anything like that, I think there should be a way of flagging it where, if people want to post it, they can, but it doesn’t get pushed to a wider audience.”
Filters on TikTok, which are commonly used to manipulate a person’s appearance, have been a mainstay of the platform. Many filters are lighthearted and playful, such as those that transform users into Lego characters or alter facial features for comedic effect. However, the “chubby filter” has stirred debate due to its potential for harm, with critics arguing that it encourages comparisons based on weight and promotes unrealistic body standards.
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Jessica Sherwood, a BBC Social News reporter, tested the filter herself for the purpose of this article and described the experience as uncomfortable. “As someone who is very body positive and has struggled with my self-image in the past, using it couldn’t be further away from how I personally use social media,” she said. Sherwood explained that the filter appeared on her “For You” page despite her not engaging with any weight-related or health content. After watching a few videos featuring the filter, the TikTok algorithm began suggesting similar content, including other filters that could make users appear thinner.
“I was unhappy that TikTok pushed it to me in the first place,” Sherwood said. Thankfully, after engaging with the content, her feed also began showing creators who were criticising the trend. This helped her navigate the issue more responsibly.
While AI filters have become commonplace on TikTok and other social media platforms, concerns about their effect on mental health are growing. The “chubby filter” has sparked a wider conversation about the impact of body-shaping filters on self-esteem, particularly among younger audiences. Critics argue that such filters contribute to a culture of comparison and unrealistic beauty standards, with potentially harmful effects on mental health and body image.
As the debate continues, many TikTok users are calling on the platform to take action, either by removing the filter or adding safeguards to prevent it from negatively impacting users. The controversy highlights the need for greater responsibility in the development and regulation of social media features, particularly those that could influence users’ perceptions of their bodies and their worth.
