content warning

A notice ahead of a piece of content that the content contains objectionable material such as:

• violence or abuse;
• death;
• sexual abuse or rape;
• self-harm or suicide;
• hate speech, discriminatory language, or slurs;
• or profane or obscene language or images.

Content warnings are also known as trigger warnings and advisory warnings. Such warnings are intended to help people make educated decisions to avoid content they might find offensive or graphic; help parents make educated decisions for children; and help those experiencing or who might experience a stress reaction avoid such content. They should be used sparingly and judiciously.

The Dart Center for Trauma and Journalism did a review of studies in 2016 on the effectiveness of content warnings and found studies dating back to the 1970s. However, the Dart Center reported that studies showed mixed results from content warnings. While content warnings are appreciated by the general public according to some studies, content warnings may also have the unintended effect of attracted teens and others — what the Dart Center calls the “forbidden fruit” effect.

For best practices on using content warnings, see how to write a content warning.

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