X has mandated users posting adult content to adjust their media settings to include content warnings, ensuring that images and videos are shielded from underage or unconsenting viewers.
Elon Musk’s X platform, formerly known as Twitter, has officially allowed pornographic content while introducing measures to block adult and violent posts from users under 18 or those who do not opt-in. This decision comes amidst increasing regulatory pressure globally to safeguard minors from inappropriate content on social media platforms. Historically, X has not restricted adult content postings, with sex workers leveraging the platform for promoting their subscription services like OnlyFans. In a recent update to its official usage policies, X says, “You may share consensually produced and distributed adult nudity or sexual behavior, provided it’s properly labeled and not prominently displayed.”
“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,” X says in the update, which was spotted earlier by TechCrunch. “Sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression. We believe in the autonomy of adults to engage with and create content that reflects their own beliefs, desires, and experiences, including those related to sexuality.”
However, in a recent announcement, X has mandated users posting adult content to adjust their media settings to include content warnings, ensuring that images and videos are shielded from underage or unconsenting viewers. Individuals under 18 or those without a specified birthdate on their profile will be restricted from accessing such content. These new policies aim to strike a balance between allowing adult content while prioritizing user safety and age-appropriate content consumption.
X indicated it would detect what users were posting, stating that if users do not mark pornographic posts appropriately then “we will adjust your account settings for you”.Similar rules have been put in place for violent content including violent speech or media, including that which threatens, incites, glorifies or expresses desire for violence or harm.
According to X’s Adult Content Policy, “We balance this freedom by restricting exposure to Adult Content for children or adult users who choose not to see it. We also prohibit content promoting exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization or harm to minors, and obscene behaviors. We also do not allow sharing Adult Content in highly visible places such as profile photos or banners.”
Teenagers have reported seeing pornographic material more on X than on adult sites. Research from the UK children’s commissioner in January 2023 found that 41% of teenagers aged between 16 and 18 reported seeing pornography on X, versus 37% for dedicated adult sites.
Last week Australia’s online safety regulator, Julie Inman Grant, claimed Apple and Google had financial motives for keeping both X and Reddit on their app stores despite hosting adult content – which she claimed was in violation of both app store policies.