By Jehoshaphat Kanyoro Njaro
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter), has introduced new guidelines allowing the sharing of adult content, with specific measures to restrict access to minors.
These changes come amidst increasing regulatory pressures on social media companies to prevent children from viewing inappropriate content.
The updated guidelines now permit users to share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior on the platform. This significant policy shift formalizes what has been an evolving stance on adult content.
However, the new rules are clear about where this content can appear. Users are prohibited from using explicit images in “obvious places” like profile pictures or banners. Instead, content warnings must be applied to all adult material, ensuring that it is not immediately visible without user consent.
To protect younger users, X has implemented strict age restrictions. Adult content will be blocked from users under 18 or those who do not have a birthdate on their profile.
Users who regularly post adult content are required to adjust their media settings to include content warnings on images and videos. This measure helps prevent minors and others who opt out from seeing such content.
X has stated that it will actively monitor content and adjust account settings if users fail to mark their posts appropriately.
This proactive stance aims to ensure compliance with the new guidelines and maintain a safer environment for all users.
The platform’s new guidelines emphasize the importance of consensual production and distribution of adult content. X supports the notion that sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression.
The guidelines underline the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their personal beliefs, desires, and experiences.
“We believe that users should be able to create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensually produced and distributed,” states the new guidelines.
This approach underscores a commitment to both freedom of expression and responsible content sharing.
In addition to adult content, X has also updated its policies on violent content. The platform will restrict access to violent speech or media, including content that threatens, incites, glorifies, or expresses a desire for violence or harm.
These measures are part of a broader effort to create a safer online environment and comply with regulatory standards.
These changes come at a critical time for X, as the platform seeks new revenue streams to offset the loss of advertisers. According to a report by The New York Times, X might lose up to $75 million in revenue in 2023 due to advertiser departures.
By formalizing its policies on adult content, X aims to attract a diverse user base while ensuring that its content guidelines are clear and enforceable.
These new guidelines mark a significant step in balancing user freedom with the need for safety and responsibility. Users engaging with adult content on the platform must adhere to the new rules to ensure a respectful and compliant community.
Meanwhile, X continues to adapt its policies in response to both user needs and regulatory demands, striving to maintain a platform that supports diverse forms of expression while protecting vulnerable users.