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At this point, Instagram looks like an alternate universe. A place governed by its own laws. A place, where the ultimate creator is photo editing software.

In fact, it's so full of fake influencers, there's even a subreddit dedicated to calling them out, r/InstagramReality. "Social media is a breeding ground for Facetune and Photoshop," the online community writes on its page. "It's unbelievable how some people get away with it while others don't!"

These Internet detectives are on the quest to expose those who have taken it too far: guys who make their biceps so big, they warp the space-time continuum, women with skin so smooth, you can't tell where they chin ends and their necks begin, they're all here.

When you're done scrolling, check out our earlier articles on the subreddit here, here, and here.

#1

I'm Calling Emergency Services. This Injury Is Serious

I'm Calling Emergency Services. This Injury Is Serious

zznnd Report

#2

I’m Sensing A Filter

I’m Sensing A Filter

OriginalGSpot Report

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everclearshovel21 avatar
idrow avatar
Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this person is an 'influencer' it says more about the people out there following her than it does about her.

dremosley avatar
Dre Mosley
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How she looks when you're drunk vs how she looks after you've sobered up.

jmchoto avatar
Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not sure I'd want to meet either of those down a dark alley.

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Rench
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A filter that good would probably make cigarettes healthy

merryn avatar
keepgoing
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel sorry for her tbh. How unhappy must one be with oneself to filter to that extent? She must have a very poor image of herself.

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Marky Mark
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Plot Twist: Both are filters. This is actually Mickey Rourke.

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Kelzbelz79
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just shows, this is why I never use filters, I'm no super model and don't claim to be, yeah we all like to look nice/good in pics but these are next level s**t, I like to look the same in pics as I do IRL.....s**t lol.

waterdaughter8000 avatar
WaterRat_
Community Member
9 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The before and after when I sharpen a pencil that's already sharp enough for anyone to write with

bryguy369 avatar
bryguy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could you even post that photo knowing people that see it know what you really look like... sooo embarrassing

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Caroline
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's sad to see that people are so insecure that they have to photoshop their appearance so much... </3

michaelsanders avatar
Michael Sanders
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jesus Christ, she trying to catfish someone? Who would you even show this picture to?

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In an earlier piece on r/InstagramReality, Bored Panda spoke to Siobhan Ward, a primary therapist at Life Works, a rehabilitation center that provides treatment for addictions and eating disorders, about the scope of social media addiction in the United Kingdom.

"If you broke 'social media addiction' down into categories, it would encompass other process or behavioral addictions such as porn and gambling, as well as eating disorders, especially predominant with the likes of Instagram," Ward explained. "It may be that the addiction is not with the social media itself, but the social media has become a tool of other addictions."

The therapist thinks people can't stop faking and editing their Instagram photos (even when it's an obvious lie) because of brain chemistry. "Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that comes into play with the addict — it is what tells us that we enjoy something and therefore need to do it again as it gives us pleasure."

"If the person is taking a lot of selfies that have to be 'perfect', then maybe they are not addicts. Instead, this could be a sign of a possible narcissistic personality disorder. Also, if someone is posting pictures to get as many likes as possible, they may not be getting certain needs met in their life. They may not have the love, support, or even safety that they need now or that they needed when they grew up and therefore have had to find another way to fill that hole," Ward said.

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Interestingly, being reminded that social media is fake can also 'fill' us. In a 2019 study, researchers decided to investigate the effect 'Instagram vs. Reality' pictures (the ones containing side-by-side photographs of the same woman, one an idealized depiction and the other a more natural depiction) have on body image.

They got together 305 women aged between 18 and 30 years, the largest demographic group of Instagram users. The sample had a mean age of 25.34 years, and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.98, indicating a slightly overweight sample. The majority of participants identified as Caucasian (69.2%), followed by Latino/Hispanic (11.8%), African American (10.2%), Asian (6.6%), Native American (0.3%), and 'other' (2.0%). The participants were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of Instagram images over a period of time: 'Instagram vs. reality" images, the 'ideal' side alone, or the 'real' side alone.

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"[The study found that] viewing the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images resulted in decreased body dissatisfaction relative to the ideal images," the researchers wrote. "Furthermore, the detrimental effects of appearance comparison were much less marked for the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images than for the ideal images. It was concluded that 'Instagram vs. reality' and real posts have the potential to bolster women's body satisfaction, but more research is needed to assess their longer-term impact."

Siobhan Ward said that we need to become aware of what we believe we are getting from the Internet in order to start resisting its temptation. "By understanding why [we] turn to the Internet, [we] can start to think about healthier ways to meet these needs."

#10

Nearly Had A Heart Attack When I Opened Tinder This Morning

Nearly Had A Heart Attack When I Opened Tinder This Morning

reknae Report

#11

I Was Shopping Online When I Saw This Dress... And Those Shoulders...

I Was Shopping Online When I Saw This Dress... And Those Shoulders...

saithesti Report

#12

Faking Swimming With Sharks Is A Thing Now I Guess, By Blatantly Stealing A Background Image From The Internet

Faking Swimming With Sharks Is A Thing Now I Guess, By Blatantly Stealing A Background Image From The Internet

ElonTheRocketEngine Report

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#14

Ok These Are Getting Ridiculous...

Ok These Are Getting Ridiculous...

_IssaViolin_ Report

#15

That Is One Giant Hand

That Is One Giant Hand

Leathermoss Report

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Sel Bonda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bold lady! Seems the hand has been pretty busy with the works.

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#16

I Can’t Decide If This Is A Joke Or Someone Actually Thinks This Is Believable...

I Can’t Decide If This Is A Joke Or Someone Actually Thinks This Is Believable...

sierradwilson Report

#17

Seems Legit (It's A Real Profile From Facebook)

Seems Legit (It's A Real Profile From Facebook)

CyberBuda Report

#18

Found In The Wild - Why Would Anyone Even Post This?

Found In The Wild - Why Would Anyone Even Post This?

Mistresskatiafoxx Report

#19

Chin To Neck Transition?

Chin To Neck Transition?

Tiffbu00 Report

#20

Found On Amazon Reviews

Found On Amazon Reviews

twittlez Report

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See Also on Bored Panda
#24

I Can’t Look Away... The Eyes, The Teeth... So Bright. The Mouth... So Large

I Can’t Look Away... The Eyes, The Teeth... So Bright. The Mouth... So Large

TheMiddleE Report

#25

This Is Not How Real Hair Looks Like Bro

This Is Not How Real Hair Looks Like Bro

Kingmenudo Report

#28

Same Girl, 10 Year Difference (In Photoshop Skills)

Same Girl, 10 Year Difference (In Photoshop Skills)

UselessBrakes Report

#29

Ahh, They Definitely Look Alike Alright

Ahh, They Definitely Look Alike Alright

"Anyone think my mom and I look alike!? I'm 22 she's 44!"

ennortz Report

#30

Was Reading An Article About Photoshop Fails On Instagram. This Was One Of The Examples

Was Reading An Article About Photoshop Fails On Instagram. This Was One Of The Examples

NoButterOnMyBread Report

Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.