Some landmark court rulings in America look set to change how social media works around the world. Meta has just been ordered to pay a further $567 million in New Mexico over the harm its platforms caused to young people, taking the total judgment in that case to $942 million. The court found serious failures around mental health, exploitation and the protection of children.
Social media has brought huge benefits. It is one of the most successful ways we have of sharing information, connecting people and helping people discover new ideas and communities.
But the platforms also have enormous power over what we are allowed to show and discuss.
For Naturists, this creates a particularly strange situation. Meta's platforms can restrict or remove perfectly innocent images of the human body. A Naturist festival, a swimming event or simply someone enjoying being outdoors can suddenly be treated as harmful content.
Meanwhile, the same platforms have been found by courts to have exposed young people to genuinely harmful material and failed to protect them adequately.
Why is the human body treated as though it is inherently harmful, while genuinely harmful content can remain on the platforms?
This matters because social media is now one of the main ways people learn about Naturism. If the platforms prevent us from showing Naturism as it really is, they can reinforce the very misconceptions we are trying to challenge.
Now more than ever it is essential that Naturists stand up for their rights and make our voices heard. Not just for the defence of our own community, but for the benefit of everybody.
The human body isn't harmful. Naturism isn't harmful. And showing people what Naturism actually looks like shouldn't be treated as though it is.
The big question is who decides what is harmful, what is acceptable and what people are allowed to see.
Whatever your view, and whatever comes next, it looks like change is coming.
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