Wanting to be liked, admired, and respected by your community is deeply ingrained in you. Human beings are hardwired to seek out and develop positive relationships with others. That being said, this can be taken way, way too far. Especially in the digital age, where internet and social media dependence feels out of control.

Today, we’re featuring some of the most egregiously photo-edited photos that were freshly called out by members of the sprawling ‘Instagram Reality’ subreddit. Scroll down to see how heavy-handed some folks are with their filters. And remember, the point isn’t to make fun of anyone, but to call out social media dependency and unrealistic beauty standards.

#1 One Of My Mom’s Facebook Friends…

Image credits: thatpilatesprincess

#2 Indian Influencer Doing Blackface

Image credits: Dancing_WithTheTsars

#3 Most Insane Reveal At The End

Image credits: HereForTheCulturee

As per Healthline, social media dependency can lead to various downsides, such as low self-esteem, isolation, loneliness, anxiety, and depression.

It can also lead to having a fear of missing out, disrupted sleep, less physical activity, poor grades, poor work performance, damaging real-life relationships, and reduced empathy.

#4 My Sister Thinks She Has Chin Implants And A Filter But The Face Shape Is Not Edited

Image credits: Unapologeticallyfat

#5 I Found Another One In The Wild On Facebook

Image credits: areyouacoolmayor

#6 She’s Saying It’s All Natural

Image credits: eggheadslut

According to research, social media dependency is characterized by excessive screen time, compulsive checking, and detrimental effects on real-life relationships and responsibilities.

This dependency can be driven by a host of factors, such as low self-esteem, mental health issues, peer pressure, exposure to idealized content, as well as technological mechanisms (for instance, personalized notifications or infinite scrolling).

#7 Ma’am What Is This??

Image credits: DiscussionHuge7753

#8 Looking For New Dentists When…

Image credits: NillVanill98

#9 Unfortunately There Are People In The Comments That Think This Is Real…

Image credits: conwomangunvalson

Managing social media dependency can be done using a variety of methods, for example, by using cognitive behavioral therapy (commonly known as CBT), mindfulness training, and educational initiatives about the potential risks.

Other strategies that can help include parents setting healthy boundaries at home and monitoring social media use.

Taken together, this mix of approaches can help a person develop healthier online behaviors.

#10 A Supposed Gym Transformation, Has 1 Million Likes On Ig

Image credits: dianthe

#11 No Makeup, But 94 Filters

Image credits: OneOfNature

#12 Popular German Trash TV Celebrity (Story Screenshot On Last Pic)

Image credits: cuchao

Broadly speaking, you should start getting concerned about your internet and/or social media use when it starts impacting your daily life. If your responsibilities (school, work, childcare, etc.), health, and relationships suffer, you’ve got a problem.

It’s a serious issue if you feel consumed by social media and don’t want to be part of real life.

This can lead to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. Ask yourself how you feel after spending time on social media. If you feel drained and bad, it’s definitely something to moderate.

#13 She Only Wishes She Looked Like The First Picture

Image credits: rexasaurus1024

#14 It Just Gets Worse

Image credits: miyog

#15 Found This Bbbbbabe On A Dating Site

Image credits: YouGet2Go2NewJersey

Initially created back in November 2017, the ‘Instagram Reality’ subreddit has become one of the main online communities on the site.

Currently, it boasts a whopping 1.1 million members worldwide, as well as a large group of dedicated moderators who keep the sub running smoothly.

#16 At Least Filter Slips Can Be Honest

Image credits: BubblyBb813

#17 My Jaw Dropped

Image credits: Adorable-Fix-4427

#18 Tragic How A Skinny Girl Wants To Edit Herself Even Skinnier

Image credits: twinkletits10001

During a previous interview with the moderator team of ‘Instagram Reality,’ Bored Panda learned more about the community’s thoughts about people’s dependency on social media and filters. According to them, “insecurity, envy, money” drive some people to photoshop their photos so much. They might also be embarrassed about any real or perceived personal flaws, so they edit their pics to the point where they feel comfortable sharing them online.

The problem, according to the mods, is that once someone gets started with photo-editing, it’s hard to stop. They see how easy it is to change anything they find unattractive about themselves.

“Then it snowballs,” the mods told Bored Panda previously. From taking in just a bit of your tummy for a more slender silhouette until eventually she’s landed on a waist the size of her neck.”

#19 Even Her ‘No Makeup’ Has A Filter

Image credits: FloressGurl

#20 This Specific Filter Face Seems To Be Very Common…

Image credits: Rosify

#21 Gives Uncanny Vibes

Image credits: JessLovU

“The light improvements are so gradual over time, she stops noticing that the waist she’s creating is 1.) of course, not hers 2.) anatomically impossible, and 3.) that she’s now set an expectation subconsciously for herself (and outwardly for anyone following her) that she needs to keep up this flawless appearance; which means sticking to the edits she’s made for every photo she posts in the future. What she doesn’t realize is in this process, she’s simultaneously creating and constantly reinforcing her own insecurities,” they explained how someone might get neck-deep into over-editing territory.

#22 There’s A 0% Chance She Looks Like This In Real Life

Image credits: I__Am__Jedi

#23 Girl On TikTok Claimed This Was Her Proof That She Doesnt Edit Her Body

Image credits: Far_Strawberry_6855

#24 Found It On Ig

Image credits: thedaniel_mendez

“Everyone wants to be loved and desired, everyone wants to feel that they belong. The harsh, scary truth of the matter for anyone is that the more you resemble what people around you consider universally attractive, the more likely you are to have access to those things in your life. So, you begin to think, “Well, what do I need to change about myself to fit in? How do I become more attractive?” the mods mused.

“Based on what magazine covers and many an Instagram Explore page shows you, that image is a tall, long-haired, fair-skinned woman with smooth skin, a slim yet hourglass figure—oh, and don’t forget, the perfect butt. In comes photo editing apps, offering you the chance to finally be her. Even if it’s only online.”

#25 Repeat Offender

Image credits: deathofemotion

#26 This Is Getting Out Of Control!!

Image credits: Lumpy_Square_2365

#27 Former Antm Runner – I Have No Idea What She Looks Like Anymore

Image credits: Koshka69

The moderators of ‘Instagram Reality’ ask everyone to be respectful and not post any identifying information about the people whose photos are shared on the subreddit. “Please ensure all identifying and personal information is hidden. Crop or scratch out all names, usernames, phone numbers, addresses and emails; brand names as well,” they write.

Moreover, the mods point out that there’s absolutely no room for “rude and unnecessary” comments about people’s natural features. Nor should anyone make any creepy or vulgar comments. What’s more, the community isn’t about satire or memes. Meanwhile, if you’re not quite sure that a photo is edited, default to not sharing it in the first place.

Members of ‘Instagram Reality’ should also refrain from posting images of themselves or photos that they’ve personally edited. Furthermore, regardless of how you feel about cosmetic surgery, the group isn’t the place to discuss it. And, of course, there’s no room for images of people generated using artificial intelligence tools.

#28 Instagram vs. On TV Show

Image credits: Lucky-Tadpole-7401

#29 Amazing

Image credits: ForsakenContest8398

#30 The Filter Is Fighting For Its Life

Image credits: krxstvl

Which of these ‘Instagram Reality’ photos do you think are the most ridiculous, Pandas? From your perspective, what forces someone to edit their pics so much?

Do you personally know anyone who goes overboard with filters or has a social media dependency? How would you help them out if you could talk directly to them? Share your thoughts in the comments below.