Altered images can affect our body image, triggering body dissatisfaction and exacerbating Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD) symptoms. This petition calls for transparency on altered images on social media. Pushing for changes to ensure that organisations, companies, influencers are legally required to state when images have been manipulated for paid content online. Tapping into an already important and ongoing movement recent years where there have been positive changes in law in Norway and France. Community support such as this petition can help to bring the conversation to the forefront and encourage change as well as raise awareness. 

Kitty, who works for the BDD Foundation, has personal experience of BDD which at times led her to become housebound: ‘I developed BDD in my early teens and grew up comparing myself to airbrushed images in magazines without realising that they had been altered. I have experienced how images can affect our body image, triggering body dissatisfaction and exacerbating BDD symptoms. Now these altered images are everywhere, and particularly prevalent on social media. This petition is really important to me and I would love to see real change.’

As the only charity in the world exclusively dedicated to raising awareness and alleviating the suffering caused by Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), we’re calling for transparency on altered images on social media with a petition directed at the EU Parliament.  

Body Dysmorphic Disorder is a serious and distressing psychological condition where a person becomes very preoccupied with one or more features in physical appearance. BDD can seriously affect a person’s daily life, including work, education, social life and relationships. As a result, social anxiety, isolation and depression are very common in BDD. With about 1 in 50 suffering from BDD today, this condition is largely overlooked and undiagnosed. Awareness around BDD can encourage early diagnosis and faster treatment. You can read more about this and find resources on www.bddfoundation.org 

If you want to take a stand and call for transparency on altered images on social media, please sign the petition today.