It seems Twitter might be changing its stance regarding erotic loli artwork as a report function for such creations has been introduced on the social media service.
Twitter users learned that a new report function category was recently created, one that specifically targets tweets that are sexually exploiting children:
While these new report options are positive and help to crack down on the sexualization and grooming of real world children that happens frequently on Twitter, some couldn’t help but notice an option for “illustrated, cartoon, computer generated media depicting a minor engaging in a sexual act or child-like sex doll” is also present.
This might imply that any and all erotic artwork featuring loli characters is now able to be reported, which is disastrous for Japanese artists who often use Twitter to advertise their artwork.
It’s a devastating blow as even Pixiv, a very popular Japanese website where artists can share their artwork (even erotic loli art), “banned” the monetization of erotic loli art some time ago.
Naturally, critics will potentially find this ridiculous as loli artwork features children that don’t exist and thus aren’t being abused.
Some might find it hypocritical to ban fiction when plenty of real-world violence is available to see on Twitter.
Others might believe this has to do with the recent letter sent to Congress over fictional “child sex imagery”.
It’s also possible that Twitter is allowing this report feature to comply with the law, which in some states, forbids erotic loli art.
This censorship shouldn’t be particularly surprising as it seems both political parties in the West despise loli artwork, even though it has been proven that fictional content doesn’t encourage crime, as evidenced by loli erotica’s decades-long existence in Japan.
Ever since the 90s, it’s apparent that individuals cannot shake the notion that “fiction is capable of making people commit crime”, despite all the evidence and studies saying otherwise.
This is Niche Gamer Tech. In this column, we regularly cover tech and things related to the tech industry.
