​A problem with social media...

​Remember that we already discussed the fact that 67% of social media users lie by exaggerating or leaving out the less exciting details of their lives.

The photos people post are another problem.

​By using photoshopping programs, apps with filters, and even taking hundreds of photos people post altered or idealized images of themselves that simply aren't honest.

​Check out this one -->

​These images can make us question ourselves and cause us to have low self esteem or mental health issues, but they shouldn't!

​These two photos are of the same person, but the second one has been photoshopped to remove face blemishes and lighten his skin color.

​So let's play a little game!

​I'll give you a photo, and we will see if you can identify if the photo is REAL or if it has been ALTERED by photoshop or filters (or idealized in some other way) to make it look better than reality. Let's play!!!

​That photo was altered!

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​They added a bird, some out of focus foreground, and altered the color in the background.

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​The crazy thing is that the real photo was beautiful too!

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​Just post the real one!

​That photo was altered!

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​They altered the photo by adding falling leaves and changing the colors. Yes, it made the photo even better, but it idealizes the scene.

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​Once again, the original photo was awesome!

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​Just post the real one!

​That photo was real!

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​The photo you saw was the one on the right. The one on the left (the first one), was altered using a filter to make the man look younger.

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​Embrace who you are! Post the real one!

​That photo was altered!

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​This woman looks fine in the first photo, but she used a filter in the 2nd one. When we use idealized photos on our social media, it can negatively impact the mental health of others.

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​Be yourself. Just post the real one!

​That photo was altered!

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This man changed the angle of his arm in the 2nd photo to make his muscles look even bigger.

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He didn't have to do that.

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​Be yourself. Just post the real one!

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​So what can we do about dishonest photos?

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​We can continue trying to make our digital footprint as positive and honest as possible.

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​Pledge to only post honest, unaltered photos. This helps all of us stay grounded in reality - it keeps our self-esteem high because we are not trying to live up to unattainable picture ideals!

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​Just be yourselves! Post the real, unaltered photos.