Algorithmic "content warnings" are designed to help individuals navigate potentially sensitive material online, but they also have the unintended consequence of framing erotic content as inherently dangerous, deviant, or even taboo. These messages can create a sense of fear or shame around consensual intimate encounters, which is detrimental to both personal wellbeing and public discourse.
How Algorithmic "Content Warnings" Reframe Erotic Content
One way algorithmic "content warnings" reframe erotic content as dangerous, deviant, or forbidden is by presenting it as a risk factor for mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and addiction.
YouTube's "sensitive content filter" warns users that viewing such videos may be harmful to their physical or emotional health. While this warning is intended to protect vulnerable viewers, it also reinforces the idea that watching intimate content is inherently risky.
The Impact of Algorithmic "Content Warnings" on Public Discourse
Another impact of algorithmic "content warnings" is on public discourse about sexuality and relationships. By equating erotic material with danger and deviance, these filters contribute to a culture of shame and silence around sex-positivity and consent. This has a negative effect on society's ability to have open conversations about gender roles, sexual orientation, and sexual pleasure. It also limits our understanding of what constitutes healthy relationships and how we talk about them.
Responsible Use of Algorithmic "Content Warnings"
While algorithmic "content warnings" can have unintended consequences, they are still an important tool for individuals who need to navigate potentially triggering material online. To mitigate these effects, platforms should provide more nuanced messaging around sensitive topics, including information about potential triggers, support resources, and educational materials on healthy relationships and communication.
Viewers should take responsibility for their own choices and seek out resources that help them understand their personal boundaries and needs.
How do algorithmic “content warnings” reframe erotic content as dangerous, deviant, or forbidden?
Algorithmic "content warnings" may reframe erotic content by framing it as potentially triggering or harmful for viewers, which can lead to its association with negative emotions such as disgust, anxiety, or shame. This can create a social norm that portrays erotic material as immoral, sinful, or unacceptable, even if it is not inherently so.