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The following links to an article about the French government debating whether or not it should require digitally altered photographs to be labeled as such. Basically, if a picture has been changed - airbrushed, blemishes removed, bikini lines virtually waxed, whatever, they want a label somewhere on it that clearly states "This image is a lie."
French MPs want health warnings on airbrushed photos
The stated reason? Quoted from the article - "These photos can lead people to believe in a reality that does not actually exist, and have a detrimental effect on adolescents. "Many young people, particularly girls, do not know the difference between the virtual and reality, and can develop complexes from a very young age. In some cases this leads to anorexia or bulimia and very serious health problems." - MP Valerie Boyer.
On the face of it this may seem like a commendable idea. Obviously, no one wants yet more young girls developing complexes and eating disorders. And looking at glossy photos of impossibly beautiful women when one is in the midst of developing one's own body image can suck.
But couldn't we just, I don't know...educate children about marketing and publicity? We actually had a unit about this in grade school, where we learned about different advertising ploys and how to spot them. And I certainly remember my mother explaining to me before I even started school that the "BEST THING EVER!" I had seen on TV wouldn't actually work that way at home.
Do French teens really need a babysitter to tell them that the photo is a lie?
BEST THING EVER!
It's LOG!
French MPs want health warnings on airbrushed photos
The stated reason? Quoted from the article - "These photos can lead people to believe in a reality that does not actually exist, and have a detrimental effect on adolescents. "Many young people, particularly girls, do not know the difference between the virtual and reality, and can develop complexes from a very young age. In some cases this leads to anorexia or bulimia and very serious health problems." - MP Valerie Boyer.
On the face of it this may seem like a commendable idea. Obviously, no one wants yet more young girls developing complexes and eating disorders. And looking at glossy photos of impossibly beautiful women when one is in the midst of developing one's own body image can suck.
But couldn't we just, I don't know...educate children about marketing and publicity? We actually had a unit about this in grade school, where we learned about different advertising ploys and how to spot them. And I certainly remember my mother explaining to me before I even started school that the "BEST THING EVER!" I had seen on TV wouldn't actually work that way at home.
Do French teens really need a babysitter to tell them that the photo is a lie?
BEST THING EVER!
It's LOG!