Surgeons aghast at plastic surgery app aimed at kids

09 July 2017 - 00:05 By SUTHENTIRA GOVENDER

Computer games offering the chance to perform plastic surgery are either "harmless fun" or a "new low" and "highly damaging", depending whether you are a player - or a plastic surgeon.
The apps, including Girls Plastic Surgery Doctor are available - mostly for free - on the Google Play Store and App Store.
They allow children to perform "different life-saving plastic surgery operations, including fixing broken bones and damaged skin ... using real medical tools". They can "also perform surgeries for plump lips, pretty eyes, perfect noses, glowing skin and much more with expert techniques".
The app Plastic Surgery Simulator - Surgeon Games states: "Every girl dreams of a delicate face and stunning figure.
"If make-up can't give the beauty you want, then come to join this amazing plastic surgery game. You can turn into a Victoria's Secret model at once."
The London-based Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent body that examines and reports on ethical issues in biology and medicine, is shocked.
Jeanette Edwards, professor of social anthropology at the University of Manchester, who chaired the Nuffield inquiry, said advertising and social media promoted unrealistic and often discriminatory messages about how girls and women "should look"...

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.