Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana

In the era of digital transformation and the widespread adoption of social media, the use of smartphone beauty filters has significantly altered how individuals present themselves online. This study investigates the use of these filters among university students in Ghana, aiming to understand the mo...

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Main Authors: Praise Woeyram Anani, Francis Dadzie Mintah, Awura Amma Adomaa Danso, Emmanuel Wiston Churcher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Arts & Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2392381
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author Praise Woeyram Anani
Francis Dadzie Mintah
Awura Amma Adomaa Danso
Emmanuel Wiston Churcher
author_facet Praise Woeyram Anani
Francis Dadzie Mintah
Awura Amma Adomaa Danso
Emmanuel Wiston Churcher
author_sort Praise Woeyram Anani
collection DOAJ
description In the era of digital transformation and the widespread adoption of social media, the use of smartphone beauty filters has significantly altered how individuals present themselves online. This study investigates the use of these filters among university students in Ghana, aiming to understand the motivations behind their usage, their prevalence, and their impact on self-perception and identity. Utilizing a comprehensive survey method, the research reveals that a substantial number of students frequently use multiple beauty filters, driven by the desire to enhance their appearance and gain social approval. The findings highlight a notable gender disparity, with female students showing a higher propensity towards filter usage, reflecting societal beauty standards and pressures. Additionally, the study underscores the psychological implications of filter dependency, including decreased self-acceptance and altered self-perception. This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing on the underexplored context of Ghanaian university students and their digital behaviors. The study emphasizes the need for educational institutions and policymakers to implement digital literacy programs and mental health interventions that address the responsible use of beauty filters, fostering a balanced approach to digital self-representation that safeguards the mental and emotional well-being of young individuals.
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issn 2331-1983
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publisher Taylor & Francis Group
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series Cogent Arts & Humanities
spelling doaj-art-07b39ffe6b1646e69f1969fdd10f7c8e2024-12-14T07:43:09ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Arts & Humanities2331-19832024-12-0111110.1080/23311983.2024.2392381Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in GhanaPraise Woeyram Anani0Francis Dadzie Mintah1Awura Amma Adomaa Danso2Emmanuel Wiston Churcher3Department of Industrial Art, Ho Technical University, Ho, Volta Region, GhanaDepartment of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, KNUST, Kumasi, Ashanti Region, GhanaDepartment of Mathematics and Statistics, Ho Technical University, Ho, Volta Region, GhanaDepartment of Industrial Arts, Bolgatanga Technical University, Sumburugu, Bolgatanga, GhanaIn the era of digital transformation and the widespread adoption of social media, the use of smartphone beauty filters has significantly altered how individuals present themselves online. This study investigates the use of these filters among university students in Ghana, aiming to understand the motivations behind their usage, their prevalence, and their impact on self-perception and identity. Utilizing a comprehensive survey method, the research reveals that a substantial number of students frequently use multiple beauty filters, driven by the desire to enhance their appearance and gain social approval. The findings highlight a notable gender disparity, with female students showing a higher propensity towards filter usage, reflecting societal beauty standards and pressures. Additionally, the study underscores the psychological implications of filter dependency, including decreased self-acceptance and altered self-perception. This research addresses a significant gap in the literature by focusing on the underexplored context of Ghanaian university students and their digital behaviors. The study emphasizes the need for educational institutions and policymakers to implement digital literacy programs and mental health interventions that address the responsible use of beauty filters, fostering a balanced approach to digital self-representation that safeguards the mental and emotional well-being of young individuals.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2392381Beauty filterssmartphoneaugmented realitybody imagedigital self-presentationself-esteem
spellingShingle Praise Woeyram Anani
Francis Dadzie Mintah
Awura Amma Adomaa Danso
Emmanuel Wiston Churcher
Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana
Cogent Arts & Humanities
Beauty filters
smartphone
augmented reality
body image
digital self-presentation
self-esteem
title Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana
title_full Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana
title_fullStr Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana
title_full_unstemmed Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana
title_short Filtered reality: exploring the motives and socio-demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in Ghana
title_sort filtered reality exploring the motives and socio demographic factors of smartphone beauty filter usage among university students in ghana
topic Beauty filters
smartphone
augmented reality
body image
digital self-presentation
self-esteem
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311983.2024.2392381
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