Upcoming Changes for Adult Content: Filtering Adult Content in Search and Classifieds

Cyn's just updated the blog post (https://blogs.secondlife.com/community/community/blog/2009/03/12/upcoming-changes-for-adult-content ) with the following FAQs as some additional clarification:

[UPDATE]

Thanks for all the great feedback and conversation so far! We're going to post some clarifying information here and in the forums right now. Tomorrow we'll be back in to catch up on the overnight feedback, and keep the dialogue going.


-- How much of SL is adult oriented content?
Based on our research, we estimate that around 2-4% of content on the mainland would be considered Adult according to our current thinking on defining that. For all of Second Life, our content research shows it is around 5%. In other words, 95% of Second Life either mature or PG.. Again, we estimate that only around 2-4% of the mainland parcels would need to either relocate or reconfigure to meet the requirements in our current thinking, but of course we are looking for your feedback to help define that.

-- What about adult activity in private on the mainland? e.g. Is Linden Lab making rules about what I can do in my own house on the Mainland?
Nope. We are talking about public behavior and events, businesses and listings that are meant to drive explicit sexual and violent activity.

-- What about objects/avatars/groups that some consider inherently related to specific sexual activities or preferences - e.g. furries, sexy clothing, etc. - will that be considered 'Adult content'?
We're still working on tight definitions (which we'd like your help with) on what is considered Adult, but in general sexy clothing, skins, and furries aren't inherently explicitly sexual, and stay in the Mature areas (i.e. won’t need to move to the Adult continent).

-- Is all content currently classified 'Mature' going to have to move to the Adult continent?
No. Our research found an estimated 2-4% of the mainland parcels would need to either relocate or reconfigure to meet the requirements, based on our current definitions of Adult content, which again, is an area where we’d appreciate your feedback.

-- Why not make all PG content move to a new continent?

Both PG and Adult are the exception, rather than the rule, in Second Life. We would prefer to keep the majority of the content and interaction where it is currently – the Mature regions.

Why not a G-rated continent?
This is not about teenagers in Second Life or the Teen Grid. This is about providing a choice about the kind of experience people want to have in Second Life, which is fundamentally an 18+ service.

How does this apply to combat sims, can you provide examples of what would be allowed?
Combat sims are mature, think R rated movie. If part of that is lots of blood and gore, that would be considered Adult. Again, the precise definitions are something we’re still working on and would welcome your input in the forum thread devoted to this topic.

What happens to my personal data? Will it get shared with a 3rd party when I verify my account?
Our 3rd party age verification provider uses several types of data to verify your account, but they do not store the data or use it in any other way.

What decisions are Residents going to be able to impact?
We are open to talking about many aspects of the change – timeline, more granular definitions of mature vs Adult, how those who need to move want to make that work. We know some of you are asking for a more definitive timeframe – that is part of the ongoing conversation, what is reasonable in your view?

Can you talk about the decision making process and what the timeline for decision making will look like?

Over the past year or so we have been hearing from a growing number of you that the experience in Second Life needed to change. We gathering a great deal of feedback and data, and then sat down and tried to imagine how we could serve most needs best. What we came to is that we didn't need to change very much about Second Life to meet the majority of those needs. As we've stated, nearly all inworld content, events and classifieds will stay as there are. For some events and businesses, you will now have a place where you can target your audience and reach the people who are looking for the goods and services you provide.

In the next few weeks we will hold several inworld meetings to discuss the timeline and other open questions around definitions and helping people who want to move or want more guidance around tagging, and events and classifieds.

Why is anyone even discussing any of this? They already rolled the decision out on the beta grid. The decisions were made long ago so talking here is a waste of time. Linden Lab needs to just flatly state in writing exactly what they decided and what will be for those choosing to remain in Second Life instead of moving to more compelling alternatives managed as entertainment venues.

Because that makes it sound like they are doing us a favor/giving us something we want. Sort of like department stores who install cameras to help curtail shoplifting (not an unreasonable move) and then post signs at the door that say "For your safety and convenience, these premises are monitored by closed-circuit television". Presto! Suddenly it's not about shoplifting at all, but instead about our continuing safety and convenience.

If there's going to be a revised filtering system for searching, then it makes sense to be that this should have a setting for each category. That is, if you use G, PG, MA, AO, then each should have a toggle on whether or not to include results in that category. That way, searchers can fine tune results.

I think Mature advertising should be 2-4% of the price of regular advertising, since we are only able to reach that percent of the market.

Oh, and tier fees as well.
Also maybe just 2-4% of the usual transaction fees.

Agreed, posting here is just for entertainment urposes.

This is just a comment that I have in regards to the Search in Second Life. I have begun to use Second Life in my classroom, I actually introduced it to them about two weeks ago. I am using it to introduce Ancient Civilizations. SL has GREAT places where I can show my students pyramids, museums, etc. of the Ancient World. Yet, I had to be very conscious about doing searches while showing my students Second Life. I actually had to save landmarks and use it in that way because even though I do not click on the MATURE box on the search when I search for something, as innocently as Ancient Egypt a result with the word SEX or other things (that yeah I know its not that bad, but its a public school and they are 4th graders) may come up.

So one problem I had with it was that my kids where IN LOVE with the program, they were fascinated! And wanted to explore other areas such as Hogwarts. So I thought well it can't be possible to search Hogwarts and come up with something innapropriate, but nonetheless I did. A link to a store with Sex Beds for Sale was part of the result for the search. Which I didnt even notice until I heard my students murmuring about it. Again really not a big issue since they only saw the word Sex. I obviously didnt take them there, but it definitely restricts me to allow them to explore the SL world with them. Because I really do not feel comfortable using the Search engine with them.

I know this is probably very rare and really as an adult I know it is not that "bad", but as a teacher I am unfortunately restricted by the use of the Search. Also because even though as innocently as the title might be, I always have to read the intro to the place and really need to explore it myself first before showing it to my students. Like I said it is a comment and hope it helps out a bit in the subject of filtering adult content in the search engine.

It echoes back to those bullshits missives from Daniel during the "Braodly Offensive" era, that talked about "building trust" and looking out for your neighbor....as you turned him in for being a pervert.

I'm not a parent, but if I were, I'm sorry but I would not be happy to hear my 4th grader was given access to Second Life, a stated Adults Only service without my knowledge. Your intentions were good no doubt, but I think you are taking chances there you should not be taking. Just my lone opinion.

Jeska...

I know you worked hard on the new search project but it is already so gamed and full of garbage that it's essentially useless. Any filters imposed will also be gamed and avoided and then unmonitored by LL after the ARs become overwhelming.

I don't think anyone would disagree that the search function needs to be fixed however sanitizing SL so that its appropriate to use as a teaching tool for 4th graders is clearly not the solution that will make the majority of residents happy.

Why would you ever do a search with fourth graders watching? Even with the mature content restricted you were borrowing trouble if not violating the TOS.

Personally none of this seems like news to me except the age verification being required to view adult content search results. That would seem to imply LL isn't confident that residents are all over 18 and if that is the case then age verification (that works) needs to be done at account creation.

Not to be rude - but why were the kids on the main grid and not on the kid grid? I thought the kid grid was FOR schooling.

The problem there is that things which should be flagged as Mature aren't flagged correctly. I've yet to hear any explanation from LL how adding another flag of Adult will magically prevent items not correctly flagged appearing in searches.

Matthew

Reread their post. The problem is an adult providing a group of 4th graders access to an 18+ internet site. That is the only issue I see with their post.

I just read this


I am beyond shocked.

Is this not a violation of the TofS, considering the age of the students and the fact SL is currently an adults only service?

Is this is why theses new rules are coming, to allow this type of activity and poor judgment?

I like the upcoming changes .
However we have a lot of problems on our region . Our Club is a PG Club and sim . Our residents appreciate it. But there are many times people come in to goof off. Like the other day i had a resident 2 days in a row for attaching his penis and harassing the women . This is almost a daily problem .

I was wondering how hard it would be to include a LSL function to detach or disable the ability for a prim to be attached/rezzed in a PG region/parcel . This will give sexual content creators of sex products to script this function in their objects.. I know there are millions out there but maybe it will help further combat this in the furture.
.
Just a thought

Peace all and thanks LL

Wouldn't that in itself open people up for possible griefing. Someone could detach other prims, such as an avatar's hair for example.

Right now a person has to enable someone else to affect their av physically. Putting that power onto someone else to detach something from an av without that av's permission, where does that power stop.

It would be smart to make it an internal server function but the scriptors would need the function to include. Im sure it could be filtered where this function could not be called from user to user, but SYSTEM(Sim) to user, by using the PG flag system

I am not a scripter but anythng can be programed.

it is not a mater of power but a mater of protection in your own home and private region .

Hi,

As is often the case in SL, I'm afraid I have a question that doesn't appear to neatly fit into the headings already provided (perhaps a thread for 'All Other Related Thoughts And Suggestions' concerning the issue might help?).

But as this thread mentions the Filtering of Adult content, I thought I'd post my point here as it's the nearest related to my point.

As I understand it, the changes relate to the wish to ensure that all Residents can enjoy the virtual world. In particular, some Residents are interested in pursuing Adult activities in Second Life that other Residents would rather not casually encounter.

While I acknowledge the limitations on advertising and geographic clustering of Adult themed retailers together should remove the majority of Adult themed art/content/products from commercial land / malls. May I ask if an additional, optional filter could also be made available to content creators/artists etc.?

My point concerns 'What happens to Adult content when it is purchased and moved elsewhere?' (Placing an Adult object in an environment outside the controlled retailing zone)

My suggestion to overcome the display of some Adult content to Residents who don't wish to view it is as follows. When applying an Adult themed texture to a prim/object, a new option may be clicked on by the Creator, flagging the object as containing Adult content. This flag could then change the texture displayed on the screen of anyone who opts to minimise their exposure (screen out) Adult content to a more neutral generic image (non-Adult themed).

As an example, imagine you visit a residence in SL. The owner has visited the Adult continent and purchased an Adult themed painting and displayed it on a wall in their virtual home. As a visitor who has selected, perhaps under an option added to user PREFERENCES, to 'Minimise Adult Content Display' the adult painting (texture) would not be displayed. Instead an alternative, neutrally themed, piece of art could take it's place.

So this neutral image could be served by the SL software to the viewer, because they've expressed a wish to suppress Adult content. But I guess it could be possible through this method to auto-default the suppression of Adult content textures for users, requiring them to turn on the setting allowing Adult content in order to make it visible (a process that could possibly be linked to Age verification?).

I am not suggesting this as a perfect way of answering the complex issues raised relating to Adult content. And my initial thought here only applies to textures rather than other items, such as pose balls and who knows what else, people may think of.

This option obviously does rely on Designers/Creators categorising their work as Adult before they display it or sell it. And Residents then having to switch on access to Adult content, should they want it.

But perhaps this double-sided (Designer classifying and Resident opting to view) self-policing of Adult content display is an easier thing to introduce for Adult items moved from their Adult retail environment? It could perhaps reduce exposure to unwanted Adult themed content for Residents in a manner in keeping with what has so far has been a self-regulatory style for residents, based on personal responsibility within Second Life.

I'm sure the definition of what constitutes Adult themed work will be covered elsewhere. But the obvious issue would be 'Are nude paintings or sculptures adult themed?' Personally I would say not, but depictions of nudity could be perceived as a reason to classify an image as Adult.

Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the discussion.


Jangle McElroy

If you do this, make sure you have three options: "PG only", "adult only", and "either". Sometimes we're looking for things and want all results, regardless of whether they're "adult" or not.

For example, many furniture stores sell adult content. If I'm looking for a sofa, I want to see all sofas, whether adult or not.

Yes, SL has great places. However, the adult grid is called adult for a reason. You might as well give your students access to an adult internet website. If any service requires the user to be at least 18 years of age, as the adult grid of Second Life does, there is a good reason for this policy. Exposing minors to the contents of such a service is irresponsible and certainly not something I would expect from a teacher.

Edit: pointless.

Katy - Great comments. While I'm not working on search anymore, I do have faith in the team that is currently working on it to solve the difficult problems associated with searching a large and ever-changing 3d space. No search is un-gameable, but there are ways to help make search and what feeds into it smarter.

Jeska, is that why I can currently search for the keyword "sex" with mature results turned off and get a return of 22800 results with the top results being for sex clubs and sex animations? Shouldn't all of those only appear if i have the mature box ticked? How will moving adult businesses to their own continent help with enforcement of search policies or lack thereof?