Elon Musk’s social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, has officially updated its policies to allow adult and graphic content. This move formalizes a practice that was already in place before Musk acquired the platform in 2022.
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The updated guidelines state that users can create, distribute, and consume material related to sexual themes as long as it is consensual and clearly labeled. The policy emphasizes that sexual expression, whether visual or written, can be a legitimate form of artistic expression.
However, X has made it clear that adult content will be restricted for children and for adult users who choose not to see it. The platform prohibits content that promotes exploitation, nonconsent, objectification, sexualization, or harm to minors, as well as obscene behaviors. Additionally, adult content cannot be displayed in highly visible places such as profile photos or banners.
This policy change sets X apart from other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, which have stricter guidelines on nudity and sexual expression. Brooke Erin Duffy, an associate professor of communication at Cornell University, noted that this move aligns with X’s strategy to differentiate itself from “brand-safe” competitors and appeal to creators and artists marginalized by other platforms.
X is also asking users who regularly post adult content to place all their images and videos behind a content warning, requiring viewers to acknowledge they want to see the content before it is displayed.
