Flatter stomachs, bigger lips, smoother skin.
When we’re scrolling through photos on social media, it’s sometimes hard to tell what’s been edited.
But would a disclaimer stating the post had been filtered or modified help to improve users’ self-esteem?
A new law in Norway is coming into force that will mean social media influencers can’t post modified photos without declaring what they’ve done.
The rules will affect any paid posts across all social media platforms, as part of an effort to “reduce body pressure” among young people.
‘We need this law’
Madeleine Pedersen, 26, is an Instagram influencer from Moss in Norway.
She tells Radio 1 Newsbeat it’s “about time” the rules were changed and hopes the law will stop young people comparing themselves to unrealistic images.
“There are so many people that are insecure about their body or face,” she says.
“I have struggled with body issues because of Instagram, back in the day.
“The worst part is that I don’t even know if the other girls I looked up to did edit their photos or not. That’s why we all need answers – we need this law.”
Madeleine doesn’t “feel the need” to edit the way she looks in her posts, which reach an audience of more than 90,000 people.
She changes the “light, colours and sharpness to get a better vibe”, but says she would never use an app to alter the way her face and body look.
The new requirements were passed as an amendment to Norway’s Marketing Act. The King will decide when they come into effect.
The government website says the aim is to help reduce pressure in society due to “idealised people in advertising”.
“Among other things, a duty is introduced to mark retouched or otherwise manipulated advertising when this means that the person’s body in the advertisements deviates from reality in terms of body shape, size and skin,” it adds.
It will cover filters, like you might use on Snapchat, as well as digital alterations of things like body shape and size.
It affects anyone who is posting a paid promotion on social media – including many influencers, actors and singers.
Madeleine thinks the new requirements will mean influencers in Norway will be less likely to edit their pictures.
“They will be too embarrassed to admit it, so they will edit less, as they should,” she says.
“You are beautiful, don’t throw that away for some extra likes. That’s not real life.”
Eirin Kristiansen, a 26-year-old influencer from Bergen, Norway, agrees the new law is a “step in the right direction” – but thinks it’s “not very well thought out”.
“To me, it seems more like a shortcut to fix a problem that won’t really do any improvement,” Eirin tells Newsbeat.
“Mental health issues are caused by so much more than an edited photo, and another badge on advertiser’s photos won’t change how young girls and boys truly feel, in my opinion.”
A study by UK MPs last year found that the majority of under 18-year-olds said social media images were “extremely influential” on their body image.
Only 5% of under 18s in the survey said they wouldn’t consider changing their appearance by doing things like dieting or getting surgery.
Eirin says she doesn’t edit the way she looks in photos but does play around with “lights and colours” to capture a “mood”.
“I believe we should focus more on how we can learn to be selective in what we see and learn how social media truly works,” she says.
“Social media is here to stay.”
Em Clarkson, an influencer from London, agrees that it’s important to be selective about what we see.
The 26-year-old posts unedited pictures and often speaks out about the damage of filters and editing apps.
But she’s not always been that way.
“When I was 16 I downloaded Photoshop and learnt how to Photoshop myself so I could upload this bikini picture of me to Facebook,” she says.
“I know that if these [editing] apps had existed when I was as unhappy in my body as I was then, I would 100% be using them.”
When she was younger, Em says she found it hard comparing herself with women she saw on magazine covers – which happened about twice a week.
But she worries for younger people on Instagram now who are seeing edited pictures “50, 100 times a day, every day”.
There was a bill proposed by MPs in the UK to make it compulsory for people to declare altered images – but it never made its way through Parliament.
Em says the UK government needs to take the issue “more seriously” and bring in a law like Norway’s.
“All the indicators are showing mental health problems, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, it’s all on the rise,” she says.
Newsbeat’s asked the government for a comment.
“I was so lucky that I fell into an extraordinarily positive community on Instagram, but the vast majority of the internet isn’t like that,” Em adds.
“There has to be some base of which we agree to act responsibly, and I think [Norway’s law] is a really good start.
“We can’t say to people stop editing your images, that’s not feasible. But to say to them, ‘if you’re going to do it, you need to be honest’, that’s great.”
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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