The UK Has Banned Cosmetic Surgery Ads Targeting Teenagers
I wouldn't mind never seeing another teeth whitening ad again.
Sick of seeing ads for injectable treatments, chemical peels, fillers, even those crazy teeth whitening devices, while you're scrolling through your socials? Or even while you're binge watching your fave show on TV?
Well, people under 18 in the United Kingdom won't have to endure it any longer, with adverts for cosmetic procedures officially banned from targeting teenagers.
The new rules apply to all media that's aimed at, or even likely to appeal to under 18s—yep, that includes Instagram, TikTok, billboards, magazines, and social influencer marketing.
And it covers everything from "tummy tucks" and facelifts, to nose reshapings and even skin rejuvenation—pretty much anything that's designed to change a person's physical appearance.
According to Sky News, the change was announced last November by the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) in an effort to tackle body image and mental health issues in young people.
While it's illegal to perform these procedures on teenagers in the UK (of course), there have never been restrictions on advertising them before.
Leslie Hallam, who runs a psychology of advertising masters course at Lancaster University, told the BBC that the advertisements "kind of stokes the desires of young consumers, which then they can enact when it's legal for them to do so".
"I think there's a strong argument to suggest that for under 18s, these adverts are quite damaging to mental health, to body dysmorphia and eating disorders," he said.
As for Australia? Well, the Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) came out publicly last year to scrutinise the current laws that regulate the advertising of cosmetic surgery for all ages.
They said the laws aren't sufficient to ensure public safety.
“The regulation of cosmetic surgery has not kept pace with the huge growth in the industry,” said, Ngaire Watson, medical law spokesperson for the ALA.
Do you think Australia should make similar moves to the UK in banning cosmetic surgery ads for teenagers? Slide into our DMs to let us know your thoughts.
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