The Tumblr No-Go List: What Not to Post
Ah, Tumblr, the land of art, memes, and a sprinkle of chaos where anyone can express themselves freely—except when they can’t! If you’re diving into the murky waters of Tumblr, you might want to familiarize yourself with the underground list of what absolutely should not see the light of day on your blog. Buckle up, because we’re about to dissect the darker side of Tumblr’s community guidelines, a.k.a., what gets you riding the ban train.
Let’s kick things off with the glaring centerpiece of Tumblr’s “do not” list: Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). If you think it’s acceptable to post anything that remotely hints at depicting the abuse of minors, you’re in for a world of hurt. That includes any suggestive or sexual content involving characters who *look like* minors or even just *appear* youthful. No exceptions here, folks. And don’t be naive; Tumblr doesn’t care whether it’s real or fiction. If it gets flagged, it gets banned—it’s as simple as that. So save your fanfics featuring youthful-looking characters for Archive of Our Own (AO3) where they’ll be safe and sound.
Next up, you might want to steer clear of posting sexually explicit material. That’s right, even if your artistic expression takes on a historical flair straight out of a museum, you’ll need to slap on a Community Label if it hints at any *naughty* business. Visual depictions of sex acts are a no-go. Think GIFs, videos, animations or photos—just don’t. Nuance like “it’s just art” won’t win you any favors with the Tumblr overlords. You can, however, post nudity, as long as you’re willing to embrace the fancy *labeling system*.
But wait! There’s more! Discussion of serious issues, including those tied to personal experiences like sexual assault, has also found itself in a precarious position. While it might seem ridiculous, victims discussing their trauma have faced the brink of banishment—or at least caution from Tumblr. So while sharing your heart-wrenching story might seem like a cathartic release, tread lightly. Be prepared for your blog to be potentially scrutinized like it’s a Shakespearean drama.
“What’s that, Tumblr? You’re expanding your definitions faster than I can measure twice and cut once? Awesome. No plot twist here, just chaos.”
In this whimsical yet disheartening landscape, even vague content about characters of ambiguous ages can set off alarm bells. You could be woke and still get ~canceled~ for playing with characters that flirt ever so close to the underage line. What a rollercoaster, right? Creative professionals have often pointed out that characters and their exploits should be regarded with a smidge more lenience, but alas, we aren’t the ones holding the reins.
So what’s the takeaway here? If you’re thinking of posting any fiction or fan art that dives into the messy waters of adult themes, think of AO3 as your safe harbor. It’s like riding a unicorn through a field of daisies compared to embarking on the tumultuous backroads of Tumblr. Plus, remember to “label it” like a good little content creator if you decide to dabble in the dark.
In this ever-shifting landscape of censorship and creativity, it’s wise to stay informed. Should you need any more help, answers, or resources to navigate the wild world of “What are you not allowed to post on Tumblr?”, feel free to live connect with us!
