Most Zoom users admit they stare at themselves during calls [Video]

Next time you’re on a Zoom call, take a moment to notice where your gaze lands. New research reveals that many people tend to focus on their own image during video calls — and this habit is significantly changing the way they perceive themselves.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology found that nearly two-thirds (67%) of videoconferencing participants admit to paying more attention to their own image than to the speaker.

According to the study, 88% of users take video calls more than three days a week, and 68% use “touch-up my appearance” filters more than half the time.

The study suggests that widespread use of video calling platforms makes people more conscious of their appearance, driving them to seek cosmetic treatments.

“This phenomenon shares similarities with ‘Snapchat dysmorphia,’ where people seek surgical changes to replicate their filtered images. This resonates with many people who, through videoconferencing, have started scrutinizing their appearance more closely than ever …