Violent Content
This could include graphic content including gore content, such as beheading videos or scenes which glorify animal abuse. Most of which will be against various platforms community standards.
However, while some images you see online will be graphic and disturbing, there is sometimes a need for these images, so they will not always be removed as a breach of violation. Examples include:
Animal abuse- often very graphic images are used to raise awareness of animal cruelty, whether domestically or industrially (animal welfare in the food industry). Some of these images do need to be age-gated, and you can find out how to report that here;
Images of war and casualties of war- again images are used to raise awareness and campaigning
Images of self-harm - some platforms will move this content but most will not- these images again can be used as part of people's story and recovery, can also be used by campaigners to raise awareness.
When it comes to content which is harmful, but not obviously criminal (e.g. non-extreme pornography or mild gore content), whilst RHC can help escalate this material when it is on large social media platforms, we are unable to take action when it appears on independently owned sites. This is because these sites do not have the same community standards as the larger social media platforms, which commonly do not allow gore or pornographic content.
You can find more information on independent sites, and why we can't help here.
We are often asked if this type of content can be reported to law enforcement. Unfortunately, in many cases, it cannot. Although this type of content can be disturbing, non-extreme pornography and mild gore content often sit within the boundaries of the law.
If you have come across any of the types of harmful content discussed in this article, then you might find the following wellbeing tips helpful:
- Be mindful of visiting a website whose content you are unsure of.
- Use a safe search feature on your web browser to avoid inadvertently viewing harmful content.
- Think twice before sharing harmful content so as to avoid upsetting others.
- If you come across something you find distressing, seek support from friends and family or from a service such as the Samaritans.
- Bear in mind that it is against the law to view or share intimate image abuse and child sexual abuse material.
- If you are concerned about your own inappropriate internet use, thoughts or behaviour, seek support from Stop It Now.