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What is DeviantArt's policy on violent and graphic content?
DeviantArt strives to be a community accepting a wide a range of creative works and themes as possible. However, with creative works featuring certain more-graphic themes which involve injury or death, we create boundaries to divide content into acceptable and unacceptable categories, as the DeviantArt Terms of Service specifically prohibits certain types of graphic or shocking content.
How does this affect my submissions?
Members of DeviantArt should refrain from posting materials which display actual self-harm behavior, or which display photographic images of actual injury, cruelty, or death, which can be considered to be deliberately shocking or overly graphic in their presentation.
Policy also prohibits deviants from posting fetish or sexual fantasy material which involve situations which are non-consensual, unsafe, illegal, or otherwise objectionable. Prohibited sexual fantasy content includes rape, asphyxiation, disfigurement, permanent bodily harm, execution, murder, and other similar themes.
DeviantArt's policy against manipulated materials applies here, as well. The posting or distribution of violent or gory images or video depicting any real person or the likeness of a real person which has been apparently created or posted without their permission.
This includes:
- Depictions that have been faked, whether through digital photo manipulation, face-swapping AI applications, or any other means or method.
- Images or video featuring the intimate parts of a person’s body, even if the person is clothed or in public, are not allowed if apparently created or posted without their permission while being contextualized in a salacious manner (e.g., “creepshots” or “upskirt” imagery).
There are also similar policy restrictions in place regarding photographic materials which depict graphic displays of injury or death.
While we understand that photographic or journalistic works, along with other types of artistic media involving injury and death can produce powerful and thought-provoking pieces which can spark truly worthwhile conversations, we also recognize that certain photographic images may be too graphic or shocking to be considered acceptable for submission to DeviantArt.
Photographic images which are considered to be unnecessarily graphic, as determined by a staff review, may be removed as unacceptable for submission to DeviantArt.
Please be aware that fictional depictions, such as those rendered through makeup, special effects, or digital manipulation, may be allowed, whereas similar photographic images of actual injury or death may not.
Most content which focuses on themes of violence, injury, or death will be required to carry a Mature Content tag, and the DeviantArt staff reserves the right, based on a staff review, to add a tag to any post where it is required under our policies.
Self-harm prevention and seeking help
Self-injury is a serious topic and although it may be posted in an attempt to bring the topic to light and promote honest discussion, policy prohibits its. DeviantArt is not the proper platform for seeking assistance with this very serious issue.
We urge you to consider speaking to someone you trust -- a friend, loved one, health-care provider, spiritual leader, or a school official -- who can help you take the first steps to successful treatment.
If you are uncertain if you can speak to someone in your area, DeviantArt has also provided an international list of crisis prevention hotlines which you can find here.
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