TikTok Teenage Filter

About

The TikTok Teenage Filter, also known as the High School Filter or the Teenage Look Filter, refers to a TikTok filter that makes a person look like their teenage self. The filter trended in February 2023 among older TikTok users who used it as a way to reminisce and see what their younger self would look like taking a selfie. Information on how to use the teenage filter gained interest online as many American TikTokers could not figure out where the filter was on the app. This was because the filter was not made available in the U.S., only prevalent in European, British and Australian TikTok circles.

Origin

On February 17th, 2023, TikToker^[1] @thenotoriousbec posted the first-known viral video about the filter in which she used the TikTok Teenage Filter, proclaiming in the video, "There is no way a filter can take 10 years off your face." Ultimately, she expressed shock when the filter went into effect. Over the course of two days, the TikTok received roughly 2.4 million plays and 141,100 likes (shown below).

Spread

After TikToker^[1] @thenotoriousbec's video, many creators on the app became aware of the filter and followed her example. Many of them used the @thenotoriousbec's video as a TikTok sound.^[2] For instance, on February 18th, 2023, TikToker^[3] @itsdodestho posted her own video using @thenotoriousbec's sound,^[2] earning roughly 2.5 million plays and 27,000 likes in one day (shown below, left). Male creators also joined the trend, such as TikToker^[4] @themichaelbarrymore on February 19th, 2023, who received roughly 61,800 plays and 1,700 likes in two hours (shown below, right).

Various Examples

Search Interest

External References