Elon Musk’s X now officially permits pornographic content on its platform but will block such posts from users under 18 or those who haven’t opted in.
On Monday, the company introduced new policies detailing what content is viewable.
These policies emerge as regulators increasingly pressure social media platforms to restrict children’s access to inappropriate content.
Historically, X (formerly Twitter) has not restricted adult content, with sex workers using it to promote services like OnlyFans.
Users posting adult content must now set media warnings, making their posts viewable only by those who opt in and provide a birthdate.
X stated it will monitor posts and adjust account settings if users fail to mark adult content correctly.
Similar rules apply to violent content, including speech or media that threatens, incites, or glorifies violence.
Research shows that teenagers encounter pornographic material more on X than on adult sites, with 41% of 16-18-year-olds seeing such content on X compared to 37% on adult sites.
Australia’s online safety regulator recently criticized Apple and Google for financially benefiting from hosting apps like X and Reddit, which feature adult content. Apple’s guidelines permit apps with user-generated adult content hidden by default, aligning with X’s new policies.
X is also involved in a legal dispute with the Australian eSafety commissioner over violent content, specifically 65 tweets of a stabbing attack video.
X has made these tweets inaccessible in Australia, but the eSafety commissioner argues X should also block them via VPN access.
The case will be heard in federal court at the end of June.
