We explain what NSFW stands for, where it appears and what its function is. In addition, examples of content that can be classified as NSFW.
What does NSFW stand for?
In internet slang, NSFW (Not Suitable for Work, or Not safe for work, or “Not appropriate for the office”) is understood to be all content, whether visual, audiovisual or written, that would be inappropriate to expose to everyone’s view in a formal environment, such as work, school or a family gathering. This is usually because it is controversial, violent, pornographic or potentially offensive content.
These acronyms are often used in the headers of web pages, forum posts or emails, as a warning, so that their content is not openly disclosed or consulted. It is also possible that the variants PNSFW (Possibly Not Safe for Work, that is, “Possibly not appropriate for the office”) appear, when there is a margin of doubt regarding the content; or LSFW (Less Safe for Work, “Less appropriate for the office”) when it is less risky content, but that may still be inappropriate. You must read about Father’s Day once.
Examples of NSFW content
Examples of content that can be classified as NSFW are:
- Erotic or pornographic material.
- Bloody, violent or susceptible material.
- Non-traditional humorous material or that runs the risk of being offensive.
- Confidential, secret or strictly personal material that should not be consulted except in private.
- Any other content whose disclosure or exposure could harm the person who receives and consults it.
