New Norwegian Law Paves the Way for Influencer Transparency
Social media has long been condemned as a means through which issues including body dysmorphia are worsened, with critics claiming that such platforms portray unrealistic and unattainable lifestyles. As a result, Norway, a Scandinavian country with a modest population of 5.3 million, has decided to take matters into its own hands.
In what has been heralded as a revolutionary piece of legislation, the BBC has reported that a new “Influencer Law” has passed, making it compulsory for edited posts on social platforms to be labelled as such. Targeting social media influencers, the law affects anyone who has posted paid promotions, and accounts for the use of filters as well as the manipulation of images.
Most people have responded positively to the law, arguing that it paves the way for greater transparency online and aids the battle against body dysmorphia. The move has gained international press coverage, including in outlets across the UK, Europe, Africa and the US, with influencers such as Ameni Esseibi (a Middle Eastern model) advocating for it to be adopted globally. She told Arab News: “I personally think that this law is great news for our industry, I can’t wait for it to be applied in the UAE also. It’s time for people to see reality and to accept real life and stop living in a bubble.”
I couldn’t agree more. As social media continues to play a central role in daily life, it becomes increasingly important to address the unrealistic body expectations placed on women - by themselves, by their “friends” and by society at large. In recent years, this issue has only worsened with the rise of shows like Too Hot to Handle and Love Island, both of which portray unrealistic body images.
The new law passed in Norway certainly comes at a time when it is most needed. If it proves successful, it could become commonplace among Western countries, helping social media platforms in their battle against fatphobia, fat-shaming and other illnesses related to body image. It is definitely a good start and a step in the right direction, but for it to be effective, it must be properly implemented.
References:
(1) https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-57721080
(3) https://guardian.ng/life/norway-makes-not-labeling-retouched-photos-on-social-media-illegal/
(4) https://www.arabnews.com/node/1892906/session_trace/jserrors/session_trace/aggregate