What is illegal to post online?

Asked by: Bella Mills  |  Last update: February 15, 2026
Score: 5/5 (57 votes)

It's illegal to post content online that constitutes a crime, including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), terrorist propaganda, credible threats of violence, hate speech that incites harm, fraud, stalking, revenge pornography, intellectual property theft, serious defamation, doxing with intent to harm, and non-consensual intimate imagery. Essentially, anything illegal offline, like drug trafficking or illegal gambling, is also illegal online, but specific internet crimes like cyberstalking or online fraud also carry penalties.

What is illegal to post on social media?

The California legislature passed a law in 2008 which makes it illegal to post harmful information on the internet. Penal Code 653.2 states it is a crime to post about other people on the internet in a way that will cause them harm.

What is not allowed to be posted on social media?

Please don't post comments or links to information that is offensive, illegal, abusive, profane, or defamatory.

What can you not post online?

9 Things To Never Post On Social Media

  • Personal Information.
  • Private Conversations.
  • Offensive or Discriminatory Comments.
  • Personal Problems or Complaints.
  • Inappropriate Photos or Videos.
  • Confidential Information.
  • False Information.
  • Negative Comments about Employers or Colleagues.

What is illegal to share online?

Peer-to-peer file-sharing technology is not itself illegal, but what you share and how you share it may be. When you upload or distribute copies you make of copyrighted works, or when you download or acquire unlicensed copies of copyrighted works, you may be infringing someone else's rights.

Illegal to Post Video of Police Online? Ep. 7.358

21 related questions found

What is illegal content on social media?

Illegal content is the worst type of harmful online material. It shows, describes, promotes, incites or instructs people in violent crimes including: sexual exploitation of children. terrorist acts. murder.

Is it illegal to post private conversations online?

Violating these laws could result in civil penalties or even criminal charges. So if you're posting a video with recorded conversations or audio where someone didn't know they were being recorded, you may be breaking the law, especially in private settings.

What is not okay to post on social media?

Avoid posting negative or sensitive information about your relationships to maintain privacy and respect. 5. Work-related Information: Be cautious about sharing confidential work-related information or details about your workplace on social media.

What is the 5 5 5 rule on social media?

The 5-5-5 rule in social media has two main interpretations: a content mix (5 valuable, 5 shared/curated, 5 promotional posts in a cycle to balance content) or a daily engagement tactic (liking 5 posts, commenting thoughtfully on 5 posts, and connecting with 5 accounts, all within 5 minutes) to boost visibility and relationships. Both versions emphasize balance and genuine interaction, preventing spam and building community by sharing diverse content or engaging actively with others.
 

What can you not post?

I – O

  • Lighters and refills containing flammable liquid or gas. (including used butane, petrol cigar and cigarette lighters) ...
  • Lighters – empty, new or unused. ...
  • Liquids not classified as dangerous goods. ...
  • Live creatures, insects and invertebrates. ...
  • Lottery tickets. ...
  • Magnetised material. ...
  • Matches. ...
  • Nail varnish, polish or gel.

What does the law say about posting on social media?

The law treats social media posts like other speech, protected by the First Amendment from government censorship but subject to restrictions for defamation, threats, or invasion of privacy, with private entities (like employers or platforms) having more power to regulate content, and you still facing legal issues for copyright infringement, harassment, or violating terms of service, even if it feels private. 

What is the 3 second rule on Instagram?

The 3-second rule on Instagram is a content strategy emphasizing that creators have only the first three seconds of a video (like a Reel) to hook viewers, preventing them from scrolling past, by starting with movement, a bold statement, a question, or showing the end result to immediately promise value and create curiosity. If the initial seconds aren't engaging, the algorithm sees low interest, and the video's reach is limited, making that initial "pattern interrupt" crucial for performance and growth.
 

What are some acceptable things you can post on social media?

Here are some ideas of posts that can help you network.

  • Tag or mention other professionals and share their stuff. ...
  • Recommend another business or healing practitioner. ...
  • Recommend another business to follow on social media. ...
  • Share someone else's webinar or optin gift. ...
  • Tag an industry leader in a share of their stuff.

What should you avoid when posting on social media?

However, there are some things you should avoid posting on social media that may lead to negative consequences.

  • Private or Classified Information. ...
  • Personal Conversations. ...
  • Embarrassing Pictures. ...
  • Negative Opinions About Your Job. ...
  • Inappropriate Photos or Videos. ...
  • Too Much Information (TMI) ...
  • Financial Status or Bragging.

What is the 30 30 30 rule for social media?

The "30-30-30 rule" on social media refers to two different concepts: a trending health/fitness trend for weight loss (30g protein in first 30 mins of waking + 30 mins low-intensity exercise) and a content strategy for businesses, typically splitting posts into 30% brand-focused, 30% featuring others (curated/UGC), and 30% entertaining/educational, with an optional extra 10% for real-time engagement, according to this Shopify article, this YuDigify article, and this PD Marketing article. The health rule gained traction on TikTok, while the content strategy helps balance promotion with value and community building for brands, say UCLA Health and MASJax. 

What are red flags on Facebook?

Before you share a hurt animal or missing kid, look for these examples of red flags 🚩 🚩 Comments turned off 🚩 Person's profile is new or a “like” page instead of “add a friend” 🚩 The town has a # in front of it 🚩 It says “bump this post” 🚩 It's posted in a public group (like this one, garage sale sites etc) Attaching ...

What are the 7 C's of social media?

The 7 Cs of Social Media Marketing are a framework for strategy, often including Community, Content, Curation, Creation, Connection, Conversation, and Conversion, focusing on building an audience, providing value, engaging them through dialogue and shared content, and ultimately driving desired actions like sales or leads, emphasizing audience understanding and tailored experiences. While specific lists vary slightly (e.g., adding Context, Collaboration, Consistency), the core idea is a customer-centric approach to digital engagement. 

What is the golden rule of social media?

The Golden Rule of Social Media: Give More Than You Take.

What is the rule of 7 in media?

The rule of 7 is based on the marketing principle that customers need to see your brand at least 7 times before they commit to a purchase decision. This concept has been around since the 1930s when movie studios first coined the approach.

What am I not allowed to post on Facebook?

Here are a few of the things that aren't allowed on Facebook: Nudity or other sexually suggestive content. Hateful conduct, credible threats or direct attacks on an individual or group. Content that contains self-harm or excessive violence.

What is unprofessional to post on social media?

• Never use curse words or other foul language, including innuendos. • Avoid sharing emotionally, religiously or politically charged statements. Never comment about work online. • Do not whine or complain about work through social media.

What should not be displayed on a social media account?

Here are the things that should never be found on your social media accounts, whether that's Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

  • Offensive, bigoted jokes. ...
  • Complaints. ...
  • Drug-related content. ...
  • Updates during work hours. ...
  • Profanity. ...
  • Poor communication. ...
  • Nothing. ...
  • About Jobstreet.com.

What can you get in trouble for posting on social media?

Even posts that appear to be jokes or hyperbole can be interpreted as genuine threats if they contain specific details about harm or violence. Harassment and cyberbullying posts can also result in criminal charges, particularly when they target minors or involve sustained campaigns of abuse.

Can you post a picture of someone without their permission?

If you discover that someone posted either photos or videos of you or your family on a social media site without your permission, the first thing to know is that it is illegal. Keep in mind that every platform has a different privacy policy, so the individual that posts may think they did nothing wrong.

Is exposing DMs illegal?

Publicly disclosing private exchanges between two people, such as DMs (Direct Messages) on social media, LINE, or emails, can also be subject to legal action depending on the case. Simply posting screenshots of these exchanges on the Internet is not illegal in itself.