As COVID-19 increased the prevalence of mental health issues across the UK, support services – which were already under strain pre-pandemic – were stretched to their limits. How has TikTok helped Gen Z maintain their wellbeing during the crisis? And how can it supplement clinical care?

From augmented lips to skin-smoothing filters, online editing has grown subtler and more pervasive. And despite some people embracing a more natural beauty look, research shows that young women in the UK are feeling pressure to live up to the beauty standards on their social feeds.

TikTok has moved to ban all ads promoting products that could be linked to any form of body shaming or unrealistic depictions of body image. With young audiences reporting negative mental health impacts from social media, this move aims to demonstrate TikTok’s priority of protecting its users.

The pandemic has shown that many people experience extreme loneliness despite having access to online support networks and virtual events. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Luke Fernandez and Dr. Susan Matt to understand emotional and social fulfillment, and what it means in the digital age.