Not safe for work


Not safe for work is Internet slang or shorthand used to mark links to content, videos or websites pages the viewer may not wish to be seen looking at in a public, formal or controlled environment. The marked content may contain nudity, intense sexuality, profanity, violence or other potentially disturbing subject matter. Environments that may be problematic include workplaces, schools, and family settings. NSFW has particular relevance for people trying to make personal use of the Internet at workplaces or schools which have policies prohibiting access to sexual and graphic subject matter. Conversely, safe for work is used for links that don't contain such material, but where the title might otherwise lead people to think that content is NSFW.
The similar expression not safe for life is also used, referring to content which is so nauseating or disturbing that it might be emotionally scarring to view. Links marked NSFL may contain fetish pornography, gore or lethal violence.