CoC: Content Warning Policy

This is a part of the official Pawb.Social Code of Conduct.

5. CW: Content warning policies

PAWB.SOCIAL USERS, PLEASE READ: Content warning policies only apply to the Mastodon instances run by Pawb.Social (furry.engineer and pawb.fun), with the exception of NSFW content and communities which must still be marked as such.

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Content warnings are a way of hiding content behind a short, inoffensive message that allows users to know before they click to view the content. This helps users avoid certain uncomfortable topics they don’t want to see, or would otherwise be inappropriate for them to open in a given environment. For example: Accidentally opening a NSFW image at the grocery store.

Example of a post with a content warning on Mastodon web v4.0.2.

5.1. Content that requires a CW

Posts originating on Pawb.Social instances must comply with the CW policies listed below. For exceptions that may apply to locked accounts, see Rule 5.4.

As some posts boosted by users originate on other instances, we understand there may be differences in policies regarding the usage of content warnings. For that reason, we won’t take action against our users that boost content without a CW, but may apply moderation actions against the post, such as marking as sensitive or deletion in severe circumstances.

Content warnings required by this section must be added through the CW system built into Mastodon; simply using the text “CW” but leaving the content visible is not acceptable. On the web client, this is by clicking the “CW” button under the post textbox, and will vary on mobile clients but typically use “CW” or a warning triangle.

5.1.1. CW: NSFW content without a CW

Any NSFW content, including real or artistic (digital or otherwise), must be behind a content warning message.

NSFW content includes, but is not limited to: nudity, sex, kink, and the discussion of such.

CW Message Format

Ideally, your CW should start with “NSFW” (case-insensitive) and include a rough summary of the type of content.

5.1.2. CW: Political discussion and debate without a CW

Political discussions and debates, due to the polarizing and sensitive nature of both subjects, must be behind a content warning message.

Discussions of politics can be emotionally destabilizing and distressing to others given recent political events.

However, content promoting and supporting marginalized groups, or activism towards positive social change, such as BLM, trans rights, LGBTQ+ rights, are exempt from this rule. Additionally, the expression of identity and lived experience do not fall under the category of ‘political discussion’ for the purposes of this rule.

Per Rule 2, any content containing political rhetoric against a marginalized group is expressly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

CW Message Format

Ideally, your CW should start with “Pol” or “Politics” (case-insensitive) and include a rough summary of the topic.

For country-specific politics, we recommend adding a country-tag in your CW message. For example, “US pol” or “USPol” (case-insensitive) for US-related politics discussions.

5.1.3. CW: Religious promotion and debate without a CW

Promotion, endorsement, and debates on religion, due to the polarizing and sensitive nature, must be behind a content warning message. Self-expression of religious or spiritual beliefs are exempt from this rule.

However, per Rule 2, harassment and abuse towards any user based on their religious or spiritual preference (inc. Atheism) is expressly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

CW Message Format

Ideally, your CW should start with “Rel” or “Religion” (case-insensitive) and include a rough summary of the topic.

5.1.4. CW: Drugs without a CW

Posts and boosts discussing Schedule I or II substances or topics of substance abuse, must be behind a content warning message.

Discussion about the use of scheduled substances may still constitute a violation of Rule 1 (Illegal content or conduct) if it is found to be encouraging use (or misuse, in cases of substances with safe and accepted medical uses), or attempting to engage in a sale or transfer of prohibited or scheduled substances.

CW Message Format

Ideally, your CW should start with “Drugs” (case-insensitive) and include a rough summary of the topic.

5.1.5. CW: Graphic depictions of injuries with blood and gore

Posts and boosts about and media containing graphic depictions of injuries that include blood and gore must be behind a content warning and must be marked as sensitive media.

CW Message Format

Ideally, your CW should start with or contain “Graphic injury”, “injury, blood”, “injury, gore”, or any combination of such to clearly indicate the severity. We strongly recommend that little, if any, context is added to the CW message to avoid breaking Rule 5.2.

5.2. CW: Sensitive content in CW message

When creating a content warning message, please do not put any polarizing or graphic content into the message.

For example, don’t use “NSFW, <long graphic explanation of how hard and well you can do sexual intercourse>”, instead use something like “nsfw, m/m, con-noncon, bondage, long video” – Basically, explain the content behind the warning, without painting a detailed picture.

5.3. Content that we recommend a CW

For these categories, we would prefer that posts and boosts use a content warning, but are not required.

These are recommendations that provide a better experience to all users on our service and other federated instances by allowing them to opt-out of viewing such content.

While we won’t take action against accounts that don’t mark these types of content, you may end up blocked by other users or limited on other instances which may have stricter rules.

5.3.1. Spoilers

When a new movie, game, or other media comes out, everyone gets excited. However, for example, having the ending of a game spoiled before you’ve even got to enjoy it really sucks. So we strongly recommend that any potential spoilers are behind a CW to give everyone the same enjoyment.

Suggested CW Message Format

Your CW should start with, or contain, “Spoiler” (case-insensitive) and include a rough summary of the media it’s a spoiler about. For example: “Spoiler: OneShot game ending.”

5.3.2. Topics around mental health

Topics around mental health can be fatiguing to users also suffering from mental health issues, so it’s recommended and appreciated for such topics to be behind a CW, but is not required.

Suggested CW Message Format

Your CW should contain “MH”, “MH-”, “MH+” or other similar indication, and optionally an additional summary at your discretion.

5.4. CW Exception: Locked accounts and follower-only posts

If your account is marked as requiring follow requests (Settings → Profile → Appearance), it is acceptable to omit explicit content warnings and marking as sensitive media on your posts under these conditions:

• Your account is marked as “Require follow requests”; and
• All posts omitting a CW required under Rule 5.1 are marked as “Followers only”; and
• You have an appropriate warning in your profile description about the lack of CWs and a general guide on what kind of CW topics you post (e.g. “NSFW”, “porn”, etc.)