Did It Really Offend You?!

Last week I posted this picture on Instagram.


Holden happened to be naked because he had just gone potty and it was almost time for bed (I don't recall why he was shirt-less).  I didn't see the point of putting his clothes back on only to take them off a few minutes later.  Anyway, next thing I knew, he and Brantley were playing "cars" and Holden was the "tunnel".  I don't think either boy thought anything weird or funny about it, as being naked is no big deal to them, but I thought it was the most hilarious thing ever.  So I did what any mom would do and snapped a photo.

A couple of clicks later and there it was for the world to see {on Instagram}.

The feedback was very positive.  Fellow boy moms chimed in about this being a normal occurrence in their homes, as well, and it seemed many of my IG followers were quite humored by the photo.

The following day, I logged into Instagram only to be greeted with a message that I had violated their privacy policy.  Something about one of my photos being removed due to nudity.  It took me a minute to even remember the photo because, to me, it was no. big. deal.

I did a little research and came across the following "Community Guidelines".

We know that there are times when people might want to share nude images that are artistic or creative in nature, but for a variety of reasons, we don’t allow nudity on Instagram. This includes photos, videos, and some digitally-created content that show sexual intercourse, genitals, and close-ups of fully-nude buttocks. It also includes some photos of female nipples, but photos of post-mastectomy scarring and women actively breastfeeding are allowed. Nudity in photos of paintings and sculptures is OK, too.
People like to share photos or videos of their children. For safety reasons, there are times when we may remove images that show nude or partially-nude children. Even when this content is shared with good intentions, it could be used by others in unanticipated ways.
While I appreciate Instagram's policies and them looking out for my kids, I was  also slightly offended.

One, I hate feeling like I did something wrong.  It's a butt.  Of a two-year old.  I would never purposefully post a picture that would put my children in harm's way.  If I had questioned the appropriateness of the photo...or had thought it may be used in a negative way...or even thought it could offend someone, I never would have posted it.  But, in my #boymom mind, I truly don't see anything wrong with this photo.  I've always been the "good girl" who follows the rules 99% of the time--so to know I had been flagged as a "rule breaker" was a little disheartening.

Two, have you seen some of the things on Instagram??  Boobs, crotches, girls wearing next-to-nothing, curse words and words I've never once muttered in my life!  Searches of hashtags that are nothing but appropriate often yield photos that even my 33-year old eyes are embarrassed to see!

Yet, you're telling me my photo was inappropriate?

Three, and perhaps the most disappointing all...I confided in a few blogger friends, who told me that in order for a photo to be removed by Instagram, someone {a follower} had to have reported the photo.  Perhaps that person was just looking out for the safety of my child, but again, they're buns!!!

So while I appreciate your efforts, I just have to ask, did it really offend you?

26 comments:

  1. Oh man! That sucks... I hate the feeling of being reprimanded. It didn't offend me by any means 😶

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  2. Oh my gosh, it was really removed!? I thought it was so adorably hilarious!! I love little butts!! And yeah, if Kim Kardashian can post pretty much naked pics of herself, why can't a Mom show off her little guys bum!?! Sorry this happened, but in my eyes, you did nothing wrong

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  3. Yes, my first thought is that there is a ton of porn on instagram, stuff that I really don't want to see. Naked babies are no big deal. I'm sorry that happened to you!

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  4. The same thing happened to me a few years ago. Dave posted a picture of Sadie on instagram where she was topless but she had covered her entire front with finger paints and someone reported it. Turns out I knew the person but instead of just saying something to me they went all shady about it and then wrote a passive aggressive blog post about it too. Unfriended! It's ridiculous how people think they are looking out for you and "protecting from child predators". Meanwhile in Sadie's picture the paint covered EVERYTHING and in your picture - a butt is a butt!

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  5. Trolls! I swear some people's sole purpose in life is to report things like this - that don't even need reporting, it's a harmless photo in my opinion! - or comment on things just to get a reaction. So sorry this happened!

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  6. Seriously? People are so stupid and ridiculous sometimes. Nothing makes me angrier than an internet troll.

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  7. Ugh. Internet trolls. Didn't offend me one bit!

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  8. I don't even remember seeing this post on instagram! ...so it must have gotten removed before then! Also...the pic is totally funny. I know the world is full of total creepers though so I can see why someone might be looking out for you and your children. I'm always a little hesitant to post even bathtub pics of my kids cause I worry my MIL will have a heart attack ;) Don't feel bad! There are a million more nasty things on instagram...ugh.

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  9. I swear, you can't say or do anything these days, without offending someone!!!

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  10. I thought it was hilarious when I saw it on Instagram!

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  11. I'm so glad you posted this picture here because I didn't get to see it on IG before those IG jerks removed it! And whoever reported it is a jerk, too! #sorrynotsorry It's an adorable picture and any boymom could totally relate!

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  12. I am not a #boymom but I am currently a #pottytrainingmom so this picture made me laugh. And how cute are those buns? I especially agreed with your part about the utter and total disgusting stuff that IS on IG that they should be worried about and leave us #pottytrainingmoms some much needed comic relief!

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  13. Ummm I didn't see on ig either!!! This is crazy!!! And so real life and cute. And I'm just like you a rule follower so I would be just as upset! So sorry!!!

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  14. Not me! I love the picture! More than that, love the memory of this moment that you have! (Well...had🤔)

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  15. That is crazy and annoying with all the junk on Instagram! I was not offended, of course, love the cuteness of little butts!

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  16. I don't get why anyone would deem that inappropriate? I LOVE baby booty. Now that seems a bit weird now that I have it written out like that but seriously, there isn't much cuter than a little ones behind.

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  17. I'm with you. There are so many things that are SO much worse on the gram. Baby buns? Nope, not even a little bit.

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  18. little baby bums are the cutest. not offensive at all.
    also, i love your floors

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  19. I didn't see the pic in question when it was on IG - but nope, didn't bother me! We're pantless 50% of the time around here anyway!

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  20. This photo doesn't offend me - but I do see why it was removed. Yes it is harmless and adorable (100%) but sadly there are plenty of creep's lurking online for just this sort of thing. Don't take it personally it's sadly just a reflection of the digital age.

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  21. OH my gosh this picture cracks me up... that is a bummer about Instagram... I think I need to use that app more often than Facebook... I love looking at photos on Facebook but for some reason everyone is negative or political on there! I'd much rather see a tushy!

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  22. they're buns...lol. That got a good chuckle. I saw it on IG at the time and thought nothing of it but that it was funny and probably in my future lol. Although Aria has a butt dance she does almost nightly while I'm trying to get her to put pjs on. So not just boymoms =) And, so many disturbing things when you are trying to look at hashtags!!!

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  23. NO! Boys will be boys! And they are absolutely adorable and hilarious!! Especially Yours!!

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  24. Seriously? That's crazy! I don't see that photo as inappropriate at all! It is super adorable and all baby buns are so cute! That's too bad someone thought it was inappropriate...they are just party poopers! :P

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  25. 1. I find it the most sad that someone who follows you would just report it to Instagram to have it taken down. I mean really, they couldn't send you a message if it offended them? Plus, it's buns, not the front side! 2. I can totally relate and was not offended at all. And 3. Like you said. There are SO MANY WORSE things on Instagram that SHOULD be taken down but aren't. Hell, people STEAL YOUR PHOTOS and impersonate you and they won't take it down, but baby buns have got to go! Instagram needs to review their policies.

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