With the increased rise of sites and apps such as Twitter and Reddit, it’s become more and more important to be aware of the potential risks of content marked as “NSFW” (not suitable for work). Despite the potential for harm, however, there are actually some positive benefits to understanding what NSFW stands for.

For those who may not know, NSFW stands for “not suitable for work.” This can mean a few different things, depending on the context. Most often it’s used to designate content that may be sexually explicit, violent, or even just inappropriate for a corporate environment (think videos of someone doing a funny dance or funny jokes).

The primary benefit of understanding NSFW is simply being better informed. Having an idea of what to avoid gives you and your colleagues more of an idea of what’s safe to share or view on the social networks you use. This can be especially beneficial in an office setting where the company computer policy or employee handbook may not yet cover social media usage specific to individual apps. Knowing what sorts of things are considered NSFW will help you stay professional and in line with corporate expectations.

It’s also important to understand NSFW because it can help us to be more aware of our own personal boundaries. Paying more attention to how we express ourselves online is important from a safety perspective. Knowing what kind of content can be flagged as NSFW, and staying mindful of these guidelines can be a great way to make sure that our social media voice is always respectful and professional.

Finally, understanding NSFW can help us to recognize when someone’s trying to harm or exploit us. Many scammers and hackers will try to use NSFW content as a way to entice unsuspecting victims. Knowing what to look for in this regard can help us to avoid falling victim to these types of attacks.

Understanding what NSFW stands for can be a great way to stay informed, maintain your safety and online boundaries, and even protect yourself from potential scams. It’s important to stay aware of the potential risks associated with this type of content, but understanding what it stands for and how it’s used can be a great way to reap the benefits associated with being mindful of safety online.