Social media holds some of our most precious memories, as well as our frustrations and heartache. Instagram has become our digital photo album that holds important moments in our lives such as weddings, proposals and even new additions to our families. Unfortunately, Instagram can also expose the ugly sides of life, such as drug abuse, the sexual exploitation of women, and death. What is appropriate to share on the Internet and what is considered going to far? I came up with a list of content that should be kept off the Internet.

Nudity  

Instagram agrees with me on this one. Any pictures insinuating sexual content are banned and taken off of the website. Fobidden hashtags include: #butt, #sex, #porn, you see where I’m going with this. There are websites that cater to the pornographic world. Social media sites are not part of that circle.

Self-harm

Many self-harming teenagers were beginning to use the site to post pictures of cutting as well as pictures that promoted eating disorders to maintain the “perfect” body image over eating healthy or going to the gym. Instagram would like to keep its community positive and light-hearted, so banned hashtags include: #thinspiration, #probulimia #proanorexia

Images that do not necessarily promote suicide and self-harm can still be found on the site, but there is a warning message that pops up and tells users that the images they are about to see are graphic. Additional information to help anyone with these issues is also given.

Illegal drug use

Unfortunately Instagram forgot to include this one in their terms of service, but I’m including it in my list. It’s not Internet appropriate. Sure, you may think you look cool smoking a joint with your friends on the beach in your bikinis, but that really important job you’re applying for won’t find it to be so cool. They may even label you as a lazy stoner who won’t be motivated to get anything done. Don’t post any pictures of your drug life.

Death

You would think people would know to not take pictures at funerals, but they do. I have seen pictures pop up of deceased loved ones in caskets with hashtags ranging from: #RIP to #Godhasanewangel to #Youwillbemissed. Yes, losing a loved one is a tragic thing, but you don’t have to post pictures of the deceased to show your loss. Let the dead rest in peace.