Why are we shaming girls for using Snapchat filters? They don’t make us basic

The dog one can make anyone look good

9 years ago | UPDATED 6 years ago

Guides

Snapchat filters make everyone look better. This is a fact. They were sent from heaven to cover all sins and make everyone look ethereal, radiant, fitter. The flower crown is a gift to everyone to give them clear skin, the empress crown makes you look untouchable, the dog is perfect for when you look rough, because it basically covers all parts of your face and disguises you as an adorable puppy. When it’s hard to post selfies on Snapchat or Instagram without being really really bait about thinking you look good – which arguably, shouldn’t even be a problem – Snapchat filters give us all a more subtle way of showing off.

Just thinkin’ ’bout how basic I am

But, filter selfies have come under fire – or really, the girls who use them have been criticised – for being basic, showy, vain.

https://twitter.com/ohmannitsjulia/status/729866911924682752

that dog filter on snapchat is the greatest excuse for girls to take selfies, lol.

— MIRO (@WorkOfMiro) May 7, 2016

If your profile picture is a snapchat filter you're filthy AF you dirty slut.

— Camila (@gracelessglory) May 10, 2016

Understandably, most of the girls who enjoy them are pretty pissed off that this is another thing to put on the list marked “Beware: Things you do which people find basic/slutty/annoying”. I spoke to some filter die-hards, and the consensus was – we’re not gonna stop, they make us look good, please please stop complaining on Twitter about it now.

Faye White, Birmingham

I’m unapologetic for wanting to look hot and using a Snapchat filter to do so. Snapchat filters are enjoyed by a lot of women – my Mum is a big fan and she is far from “basic”. Guys, if you put a flower crown on your dick pic, it’d probably make it easier on the eyes.

Sophie Thomas, Warwick

My whole Snapchat is full of filters. One of the main reasons I go on Snapchat is to see the new filter each day, wearing the new filter is like a fashion accessory. It’s not a case of slut-shaming, it’s just a bit of fun on social media. Your snapchat story is an expression of you, if someone judges you for it then just block them. #nohatersallowed.

Bella Eckert, Head of Marketing, The Tab

These days people will look for any reason to sit behind their keyboard and pour hate on things. Snapchat is a fun way of keeping your friends up to date.It’s narcissistic by nature – whether you’re taking a video of the cool place you’re at, or a picture of you and your crew on a big night out. You’re showing people what you’re up to, because it’s probably fun. Adding some dog ears does not make you a “slut”, and if you think that you might as well resign yourself to a lifetime of misery and loneliness.

Lucy Pilling, Liverpool

This is my favourite filter because it’s so cute and I love rabbits. Men love to look at women when pictures of them are published in magazines or on Page 3 of The Sun, but if a woman chooses to publish a picture of herself it’s narcissistic? There should be nothing wrong with loving yourself.

Grace Vielma, UK Editor, The Tab

Filter-shaming isn’t restricted to the jealous internet trolls – it’s happening in real life conversation. A few days ago a friend remarked about someone’s profile picture “why would you use the basic flower headband filter? Everyone knows you don’t look that good in a real life.” And here we are again, the term “basic” being a dragged up as a term for girls who like to look attractive, god forbid. Add it to the long list of things I should avoid doing as woman, to avoid looking too attention-hungry.

I say have it as your profile picture, your WhatsApp icon, go ahead and use it on your Bumble profile. Why? Because you’re gleaming like a grecian goddess. And seriously guys, you should try it; it’s fucking fun, and 4am would be a dull place without it.

Sophie Fagon, actress

For me it’s flowery headband and dogface all the way. Whenever I’m having a bad hair day or one of those days where your face just looks shit I can get home and throw on some PJs and and instantly feel like a princess. Yeah it’s fake, we all know that, but it’s fun and makes you feel good. Let me princess in peace.

Livi Brooks McLaughlin, Bristol

It may be “basic” but this pic of me with the puppy face filter whilst next to my boyfriend is not a “thirst trap” nor does it make me a slut. If you’re Snapchatting why not use a funny filter? Better than your own boring face.

Phoebe Luckhurst, National Editor, The Tab

It’s hard work being a woman in the 21st century. Every week, seemingly, I discover I’ve been doing something else that someone else has deemed ‘wrong’. So to Snapchat filters.

The dog filter – and others, like the Coachella flower crown, or the Emperor crown – make me look prettier. They make my complexion a little brighter, my face probably a little slimmer, and – crucially – they paste some stylised images over the top of my face. I mean, read that back: people are honestly offended by something that is basically like the 21st century version of doodling some bunny ears on a picture. It is baffling.

Taking the slut-shaming bit specifically – firstly, it’s my Snapchat, so my rules. But also it’s such blatant tinkering – we’re not talking about pernicious Photoshopping on some industrial level, we’re talking about a bit of nice lighting and some dog ears. I’m having fun. I do it unthinkingly. I look sweet and silly. It’s pretty astonishing that a furious jury of people online can intellectualise my decision to present myself in this way – I just liked how my cheekbones looked – and say it’s something I’m doing in order to tease men, and that in doing so I’m some kind of ‘thirsty slut’. Please do not view my Snapchat story, thanks.

Daisy Bernard, Assistant Editor, The Tab

The puppy one makes me look cute, and the garland one turns me into an angel on earth- why wouldn’t I use them? I’m not going to change my Snapchat filter preferences just because someone I don’t care about is saying they’re basic. You’re basic. A Snapchat filter doesn’t say anything about me as a person. I just like the way it makes my eyes sparkle.

Lydia Baxter, Cardiff

I kind of agree with the filter hate. Although an absolutely adorable filter – this is outdated. No one wears flower crowns anymore and as much as you’d love to look like a fairy festival princess it doesn’t even have wings so what are you really achieving apart from the 2012 fashion style? Nothing. These kind of pics are OK but there’s no skill behind it. I’d prefer a pic of a good dress-up or contouring any day. The only criticism I’d give is that it’s basic, it definitely doesn’t make you a slut but maybe a bit boring.

Charlotte I’Anson, Oxford Brookes

Firstly, this filter covers my five head. This article says Snapchat is no longer a safe place, but when you chose who you follow and who follows you, it can be. You can be selective of who you add and if they don’t like your snaps or your filters, delete them. I occasionally get sarcastic comments like “your snapchat stories are so long” or “you really do love filters”. It’s ridiculous people are now using what is supposed to be a fun, playful app to slut-shame.

Taryn Grieve, Nottingham

Flower crown is beyond useful for giving you a that radiant summer glow when in reality you’ve got last night’s makeup on, you’re still slightly hanging and there’s no chance you’re going outside today. I get so much grief for my Snapchat selfies. I know I have a snapchat filter issue, but I draw the line at using the dog filter, so I’m managing to reign it in.

Mared Parry, Cardiff

I don’t understand how having some animal ears and enlarged eyes makes someone a slut but there we go. Thanks internet.

Emili Stevenson, UCL

The dog filter is literally my favourite thing ever. The backlash over it being the ‘thirst filter’ is obviously just from people who are salty that nobody’s sending them cute snapchats and therefore have to label them as slags.

More articles recommended by the author-

Roisin Lanigan