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Facebook, Instagram, Twitter—odds are if you're reading this, you're a member of at least one of these platforms. In fact, more than 4.62 billion people around the globe are on social media, according to Hootsuite.
Social media can feel like stepping into a magical realm where pictures are gorgeous and feeds are perfectly curated, they come with long lists of rules meant to keep it a safe place for everyone.
The guidelines vary from platform to platform, but many of the ground rules for posting are the same. Here are some surprising things that can get you booted from your favorite app.
Violating the terms of use
While technically this covers everything else on this list, it's worth mentioning. If you violate the terms of use, you can be banned from a platform at any time. Even former President Donald Trump wasn't immune, as his account was permanently removed from the platform in early 2021, according to Twitter. Although since 2022, Trump's account has been reinstated after Elon Musk's acquisition of the social media site, NPR reports.
All reputable social media platforms have similar rules against posting the following: nudity or graphic content, pornography, violence, terrorism, and hate speech. Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter all share similar warnings against posting content that falls under those categories.
By clicking "I Agree" when you create your account, you are subject to those guidelines and can be banned for posting anything the company deems a violation.
(Repeated) controversial posts
"Shadowbanning" is a term used by social media users who think their content is the reason their engagement—and reach—on social platforms is suddenly much lower than usual. Geoffrey A. Fowler for the Washington Post shares many examples of people who express their opinions on hot-button issues and suddenly find themselves with next to no audience at all.
"...you might have been shadowbanned if one of these companies has deemed what you post problematic, but not enough to ban you. There are signs, but rarely proof — that's what makes it shadowy. You might notice a sudden drop in likes and replies, your Facebook group appears less in members' feeds or your name no longer shows in the search box," Fowler says.
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri said on an Instagram story, "Shadowbanning is not a thing." While many users argue that it does exist, Hootsuite has some suggestions for avoiding any limitations on your profile and content. Here are their six tips:
- Don't violate the community guidelines
- Don't act like a bot
- Be consistent
- Don't use banned hashtags
- Use a content warning for sensitive topics
- Don't buy followers or use sketchy apps.
No matter your position on the social media shadowban, these guidelines are good practices for navigating the online world respectfully.
Reposting a photo without permission
This one may take you by surprise! Believe it or not, posting (or reposting) a photo taken by someone else is a violation of intellectual property rights. This includes anything you've taken off the internet, like that motivational quote you found on Pinterest.
Photos reposted from another account should have express permission from the original user, and credit should always be given in the caption. Posting someone else's content as your own is a major no-no.
Instagram's website says there are several ways users try to get around these violations, including adding a disclaimer that you didn't intend to infringe copyright. Even if you give credit to the original owner the terms state that these actions are not always enough to keep you out of Instagram jail.
Users can report an account for sharing their photo without permission and Instagram or Facebook can permanently shut down your account after frequent violations.
Lying about your age
If your child under 13 is on Instagram, well — they shouldn't be.
Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat all have a minimum user age of 13 to which you agree in the terms of use. Despite this, a 2021 poll from C.S. Mott Children's Hospital says that 49% of parents of children aged 10-12 report that their child uses social media. Most major health organizations in the United States have warned against childhood social media use, citing troublesome outcomes such as cyberbullying, sexting, eating disorders and depression.
In a 2018 article for TechChrunch, Josh Constine reported that Facebook underwent an "operational change in policy" to crack down on underage users and in 2022, Instagram introduced new ways to verify your age. Both strategies are aimed at reducing the amount of under-13 users and creating a safer environment for teenage app users.
Spamming or using bots
"Hi dear, check out our account for more (insert product or promise of free money)." Sound familiar? Spamming means sending the same message, comment, or post indiscriminately to a large number of people on the internet. It's a way for accounts to get more followers and traffic.
"Facebook said it blocked 4.5 billion accounts in the first nine months of the year, and that it caught more than 99% of those accounts before users could flag them," Jack Nicas of the New York Times writes. "The vast majority of those accounts were so-called bots, or automated accounts that are often created en masse by software programs."
Twitter revealed in 2022 (pre-Musk acquisition) that it removes up to 1 million spam accounts per day, according to The Guardian. Social media companies work tirelessly to remove these nuisances—but like the Hydra of legend, two more grow back for every head that is cut off.
Posting questionable photos
If you have an adorable bathtime photo of your child you just can't resist sharing online you should probably save it in a scrapbook instead. Not only is it prime material for predators, but it could also violate the nudity clause in the platform's terms of use.
In 2012, KOMO News reported on a Seattle mom who was banned from Facebook after posting a photo of her young daughter pretending to breastfeed her little sister. While she wasn't given an explanation from Facebook, the company's website explains, "We know and appreciate that many parents share photos of their children on Facebook with good intentions, but images showing nudity may be removed if they don't follow our Community Standards. These standards help keep Facebook a safe and welcoming environment for everyone."
Reckless or dangerous posting
Snapchat has been the focus of multiple lawsuits involving deadly car crashes, Kellen Beck writes for Mashable. In one, an 18-year-old woman who was using a Snapchat filter to show herself reaching 107 miles per hour crashed into another car, resulting in irreversible brain damage for the couple inside.
In another, three teenage boys were killed after crashing into a tree going 123 miles per hour while using the speed filter.
Snapchat updated its Terms of Service to say, "Do not use our services in a way that would distract you from obeying traffic or safety laws. For example, never use the services while driving. And never put yourself or others in harm's way just to capture a Snap." In 2021, Snapchat removed the speed filter, according to NPR. Any users deemed to be putting themselves—and others— in harm's way can be immediately banned.
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