# Can we use the new spoiler tags to satisfy the NSFW two-click rule? **URL:** \ **Category:** About This Message Board\ **Created:** [October 26, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146 "2009-10-26T05:31:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/1 "2009-10-26T05:31:05Z")
Say I want to have a thread about a NSFW topic which will include a lot of links. Is the two-click rule satisfied if I, and everyone else in the thread, warn that the link is NSFW, and then put the link like this:[www.fakeNSFWwebsite.com](http://www.fakeNSFWwebsite.com)It does require two clicks, and it’s hard to imagine anyone complaining that they “accidentally” un-spoilered it, then “accidently” clicked it. Can I get an _ex ante_ ruling? Here’s the bit in the registration agreement about the two-click rule: > [@](#): > > Do not post links to pornography - we will be the judge of what constitutes pornography. Links to nudity or other potentially shocking or offensive material are permissible only in the context of a mature discussion - gratuitous posting of such links is grounds for revocation of your posting privileges. When posting a link to potentially shocking or offensive material, observe the “two click” rule - don’t link directly to the item, but rather to an intermediate page that in turns links to the item. If you’re not sure whether a link is appropriate, contact a moderator or administrator before posting it. ---
**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2009, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/2 "2009-10-26T14:20:39Z")
We’re discussing the situation now. Give us some time to look at this, please. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2009, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/3 "2009-10-28T22:33:22Z")
> [@TubaDiva](#): > > We’re discussing the situation now. Give us some time to look at this, please. No rush. The thread I want to do isn’t time-sensitive or anything. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/4 "2009-11-01T06:39:08Z")
So is [this](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=11726241&postcount=11) a “yes”? Again, no rush. ---
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 7:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/5 "2009-11-01T07:36:33Z")
I’m a fan of it actually. It’s nicer and easier. As long as the spoiler is clearly labeled NSFW maybe inside and outside of it. To be super safe, but I liked that example there. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/6 "2009-11-01T13:11:01Z")
It seems like a plan. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/7 "2009-11-01T15:20:59Z")
So, [this](http://www.amiright.com/album-covers/images/album-Yes-90125.jpg) is a yes. Not a [rush](http://davekellogg.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/rush-2112.jpg). ---
**Author:** ![aldiboronti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc348/32.png) [@aldiboronti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aldiboronti)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/8 "2009-11-01T18:33:59Z")
It does make life easier for those who do wish to use the link (copying and pasting to the address bar is certainly more cumbersome). But does it make life more dangerous for those who are at work? I think the answer is - not appreciably. But the staff’s mileage may vary, of course. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/9 "2009-11-01T18:42:31Z")
I’ve been testing a bit. The only downside that I see is that, once you click SHOW, the spoiler tags remain open until you click HIDE. Does that increase possibility of accidental clicking on the link? Probably, but my opinion is that the risk is very tiny. However, the mods are still discussing. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/10 "2009-11-01T22:31:36Z")
I’ve held off posting one or two things, for content. This might be a good way to handle things. ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/11 "2009-11-01T23:39:58Z")
I agree that using the spoiler tags for this would be a good idea. I hate playing find-the-spaces in broken links. Require that NSFW appear outside the link, and it would be hard for anyone to claim they accidentally opened it. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2009, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/12 "2009-11-01T23:56:50Z")
Use [noparse][noparse][/noparse][/noparse] around URLs that you don’t want people clicking on. Those won’t be live even if they’re quoted. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2009, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/13 "2009-11-02T14:26:43Z")
OK, the mods have bandied this about, and we’re agreed that spoiler tags are OK. The [noparse][/noparse] tags are the best and easiest way to de-link urls that are not workplace-safe. Using the noparse tags, the reader must copy and paste into browser (thus, two clicks) before getting to the website. We’re agreed that tags also involve two clicks: clicking on the button HIDE to show the spoiler and the url, and then clicking on the link. We’ll add this into our FAQs on NSFW. HOWEVER: Please, if you’re going to use this, BE SURE TO SAY SOMETHING OUTSIDE THE SPOILER BOXES ABOUT HAVING A NSFW LINK INSIDE THE SPOILER BOXES. Putting the warning inside the spoiler box means it’s only one click. - Also, be aware that if you have not typed any additional text inside the spoiler box, the link is broken (nonparsed.) And, please, if you’re using this method, DON’T type lots of info in the spoiler box. There will be people who want to read what you’re saying, but don’t want to click on the link (or risk doing so.) I guess it’s obvious that one should say something about nonparsed urls, as well, to warn people that they lead to sites not-workplace-safe. ---
**Author:** ![Randy\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee7513/32.png) [@Randy\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2009, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-we-use-the-new-spoiler-tags-to-satisfy-the-nsfw-two-click-rule/515146/14 "2009-11-02T16:21:06Z")
Great. Thanks for keeping an open mind on this.