“This tweet might contain sensitive content…” If that sounds familiar, you’re a Twitter user who’s stumbled upon explicit or upsetting materials. Twitter (X as it’s called today) carefully filters media to protect young and impressionable users. If you want to free yourself from these constraints, keep reading. We’ll show you what’s classified as sensitive content and how to unblock it. As you enjoy the freedoms of this digital world, make sure you’re never without trusted online protection like Avira Free Security. It helps block malware and infected websites—and even comes with a free VPN.
What is sensitive content on Twitter?
A visibly injured horse? A man dancing the salsa naked in his kitchen? The internet is packed with the weird, sad, tasteless, and downright ghastly. Social media platforms must navigate it with care as they try to make our online journeys as pleasant as possible. This requires them to filter the content we see, much like a caring parent (or Big Brother for the more cynically minded). Twitter classifies content that is likely to upset, disturb, or offend as “sensitive content” or “not safe for work (NSFW) and hides it behind a message: “This media may contain sensitive material” or “This tweet might include sensitive content.”
There are restrictions over what you can do with this type of data and who can view it. You’re not allowed to share it in a live video, your profile picture, or header for example, and it’s also banished from your List banner and Community cover photo. Some restrictions are age-based, so users under 18 can’t see sensitive content at all—and neither can those who don’t disclose a birth date. You can find out more about age-restricted content on Twitter here, including how to add your date of birth if it’s still missing. Some types, like gratuitous gore, are banned for everyone, while adult users can choose to see some sensitive content.
Sensitive media on Twitter falls into one of the following five categories:
- Graphic content: This is defined as any media that depicts death and violence, as well as medical procedures, body fluids, and serious physical injury in graphic detail. Violent crimes and fights, abuse of children or animals, and open wounds all fall into this category. Exceptions are made for educational content and documentaries.
- Gratuitous gore: Not to be confused with (yet similar to) the above, this depicts excessively graphic or gruesome content related to death, violence, and severe physical harm. Charred human remains or exposed organs, as well as footage of an animal being tortured, would all be considered gratuitous (unnecessarily excessive) gore.
- Adult nudity and sexual behaviour: If you immediately thought “pornography”, you’d be right. This category contains sexual content that’s consensually produced and distributed and designed to arouse. It includes sexual acts and footage of breasts (non-breastfeeding), genitalia, and buttocks. And no matter if it’s a real human, cartoon, or anime—the same rules apply. There are exceptions though: Artistic, medical, health, or educational content may be deemed non-sexual even if it involves nudity.
- Violent sexual conduct: This refers to all media that depicts violence in association with sexual acts (whether real or simulated). Examples include rape and any sexual acts that occur without the consent of the participant, as well as violence in any intimate setting.
- Bestiality and necrophilia: Sexual acts between a human and an animal are a strict “no” and will earn a “sensitive” badge—as will necrophilia (a sexual act between a live and dead human).
Many people don’t want to be exposed to potentially distressing content and their needs must be carefully weighed with those who choose to view and share it. Hiding sensitive media behind a ‘shield’ is how Twitter has chosen to manage the precarious balancing act of protecting users while also safeguarding freedom of expression. That doesn’t mean you have carte blanche to post anything your heart desires! The social media giant has its list of X Rules that are designed to help preserve public discourse while protecting user safety.
Here’s how to mark all your Twitter content as sensitive
Let’s head back to our fictitious mental image of the naked kitchen salsa dancer (you’re welcome). Beware that if you post it on some social media platforms like Instagram, your account could be banned. Not so with Twitter: You’re free to upload NSFW content, as long as you’re transparent about it and make the relevant adjustments to your Twitter – settings first. This helps X understand the type of media you’re posting so it can protect users.
Here’s how to change your default settings. Remember that when you’re done, people who visit your profile might see a message that your account could include sensitive content. They’ll have to confirm that they want to proceed and view it. There is an exception though: If someone has opted in to view sensitive content, then visiting your account won’t trigger a warning.
- Log in to your account on the web at x.com and click on the More icon at the bottom left. If you’re using the Twitter app on an Android phone, iPhone, or iPad click on your avatar.
- On x.com, select Settings and privacy from the drop-down menu—it’s the last item. If you’re using the mobile X app, skip to step 3.
- Navigate to the Privacy and safety settings in the dropdown menu that opens.
- Select Your posts and check the box next to “Mark media you post as containing material that may be sensitive”.
If you’re frustrated that even innocent tweets of yours are being labelled as sensitive, remember to repeat the above steps, and uncheck that box! It’s easy to forget.
How to mark individual posts as sensitive on Twitter
Are most of your posts for mainstream consumption, but occasionally you veer off the straight and narrow? Follow these quick steps to add a content warning to a single tweet:
- On the X homepage, start writing a tweet. Then click on the image library icon.
- Select an image and then tap edit within the image.
- Choose the flag in the top right corner and then mark the relevant checkbox next to Nudity, Violence, or Sensitive. Tap Done to finish.
How to search for and view sensitive content on Twitter
Are you sure you’re comfortable with sensitive content and want to free yourself from Twitter’s attempts at moderating it? They’re your eyes. This guide will show you how—and the good news is, that you won’t have to leap through multiple hoops. We’ll just have to make sure of the following: Are you 18 or over? Have you included your birth date on your profile? Then follow the steps below on your mobile device or desktop PC.
- Log in to your Twitter account and tap your avatar (if you’re using the X app on your Android phone, iPhone, or iPad) or click More next to the three dots (on the X website).
- If you’re using the X app on a mobile device: Tap Settings and Support in the drop-down menu and then choose Settings and privacy. If you’re on the X website: Go straight to Settings and privacy.
- Tap Privacy and safety and then select Content you see.
- Check the box Display media that may contain sensitive content. (The opposite is true too of course. To turn off sensitive content on Twitter, simply uncheck this box).
Is it for your eyes only? If you’re viewing sensitive content on Twitter, you may want to ensure that it can’t be seen by others, such as under-age family members. A privacy browser will help block or delete browser cookies and help minimize web tracking. You can also choose to surf in privacy or incognito mode, which means that your browsing history won’t be saved and your cookies and cache deleted as soon as your online session ends. You can also wipe away your cookie crumbs yourself: Read up on these tiny internet files, what they do, and how to rid your browser of cookies here. While you’re at it, you can explore the ins and outs of online surveillance with this comprehensive web tracking guide.
It’s important to remember that private surfing—and cleaning out cookies—doesn’t make you anonymous online! You’ll still need to beware of the prying eyes of website operators, search engines, your internet service provider, and (shudder) the system admins at your workplace. They can still see your IP address and the activities linked to it. A virtual private network like Avira Phantom VPN helps route your internet traffic via a secure tunnel and helps mask your real IP address, so it provides an additional privacy and protection shield. (Get it alone or as part of Avira Free Security).
How to appeal decisions by Twitter
If you’ve engaged in what Twitter considers severe or ongoing violations of its policies (see below for a tweet from the X safety team regarding this type of content), your account may be suspended. Twitter takes a particularly dim view of account impersonators, for example!
If you’ve lost access to some X features, such as video and audio streaming, fill in the X online appeal form here. If you want to file a general appeal regarding the locking of your X account, you’ll need to submit the X account appeal form here.
Since he acquired Twitter in 2022, Elon Musk has been criticized for endangering free speech on the site and banning critics and journalists who wrote about him and his companies. @ElonJet, the account tracking the movements of Musk’s personal jet, was deactivated from Twitter in December 2022, as it apparently violated the social media giant’s policy of prohibiting “doxxing” (the publishing of personal information without consent).
Be careful not to fall foul of the content guidelines and read up here on how to evade a ban on Twitter. You may not always be suspended though as Twitter has a range of methods up its virtual sleeve to rein you in: Explore the range of Twitter enforcement options here. These include limiting the reach of your posts or sending the violator a message to remove the post.
How to report sensitive content on Twitter
If you encounter a post that you feel may upset or offend, then you can report it using the process below:
- Navigate to the post you’d like to report on x.com or via the X app if you’re using an iOS or Android device.
- Click or tap the three dots icon.
- Select Report post.
- Select It displays a sensitive image.
- You’ll also see recommendations for additional actions you can take.
By flagging content you bring it to the attention of the X team—but it won’t automatically be removed or trigger a warning label. Please remember that even if you don’t like something and report it, it may not meet the X threshold for sensitive content. Opinions are highly subjective.
The risks of viewing (and posting) sensitive content on Twitter
If you see something that truly upsets, disturbs, or deeply offends you, it could put your mental health and even well-being at risk. And if you offend others, you may end up tarnishing your personal and professional relationships and even losing your job. Although we think of our social media profiles as “ours”, they’re really part of a digital world that belongs to all of us. Your past behaviour on Twitter may not reflect your current or future perspectives, but it’s very hard to completely erase social content. Beware! It could be associated with you forever, so always ask: Do I want a future employer, friend, or partner to view these tweets? Who could forget the case of Justine Sacco, who set the Twittersphere alight and ended her career with a racist tweet?
Use Twitter responsibly and stay better protected wherever you go online
Whatever the nature of your posts, always be mindful of what you share online. Try not to overshare and never click on a link or attachment unless you’re certain it’s safe. Cyberthieves trawl social media accounts to try and gather as much information as they can on future victims. Armed with information like your name and address, they can steal your identity and even apply for a credit card or go online shopping in your name. If hackers get hold of your email address and guess your password based on personal details you’ve divulged (like your pet’s name), they could hijack your online accounts.
It’s always a good idea to set all social media accounts, including Twitter, to private. (For Twitter, go to Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Audience, media and tagging, and check the box next to Protect your posts). Enable “Do not track” on your browser by adjusting your privacy and security settings but remember that this won’t thwart sophisticated tracking techniques. A privacy tool like Avira Secure Browser helps block ads, trackers, browser fingerprinting, and even dangerous websites.
Why stop there? Blend online protection, privacy, and performance tools in one convenient yet potent solution: Avira Free Security helps block online threats, keeps passwords safer, and can shield your IP address with a VPN…all while helping clear out digital clutter.
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