not safe for work

Not safe for work is an Internet slang or shorthand tag used in emails and interactive discussion areas. These can be on Internet forums, blogs, and community websites to mark URLs and hyperlinks which link to pages. These pages may be  containing nudity, intense sexuality, profanity, violence or gore which the viewer may not wish to be seen. Or be seen watching whilst in a public or formal environment, including a workplace or school.

Determining a site to be NSFW is invariably subjective, and poses challenges for academics who study sexuality. The difficulty in identifying such content objectively has led to the creation of online tools to help individuals to identify NSFW content.

NSFW has particular relevance for individuals attempting to make personal use of the Internet at workplaces or schools which have policies prohibiting (even inadvertent) access to sexually provocative and graphic subject matter.