Facebook and Instagram Removed a Stunning Water Birth Photo for Violating ‘Standards for Nudity’
Whatever algorithms that Facebook and Instagram use to determine which photos violate standards get it really wrong a lot of the time. They have policies against nudity and offensive material, but there’s no rhyme or reason to what gets removed and what doesn’t. We’ve all heard stories of breastfeeding or birth photos being removed. The really frustrating thing is the social media platforms don’t ever offer an explanation. A stunning water birth photo was removed from Facebook and Instagram, and the photographers account was blocked. When you see the photo, you’ll be blown away by how beautiful it is. You’ll also be enraged that Facebook and Instagram think it’s somehow offensive.
The water birth photo was captured by Belgian photographer Marijke Thoen. It’s one of the most beautiful birth photos we’ve ever seen.
Marijke captured the moment big sister met her little brother. She told CafeMom, “It was very important for the mother that Nelle could be there, as the mother says the little girl has been looking forward to the birth as much as the mother and father.” Little Nelle, 2 years old, was there to witness the exact moment baby Cisse entered the world, submerged in water. Just look at those little faces!
Marijke says in her experience, older children react similarly when see a baby being born: simply mesmerized. She wanted to share these images and the once-in-a-lifetime meeting, so she posted them to her social media accounts.
Thousands of people saw and shared the images, but they weren’t up for long before Facebook removed them. Marijke’s account was also blocked. Says Marijke, “I really think they should try and find a solution for these kind of pictures that are banned, this is nothing explicit.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb6j6oXHZyM/?taken-by=marijkethoen_birthphotography
Marijke also shared the photo on Instagram, where it was removed multiple times. A spokesperson for Facebook told HuffPost UK that the images were removed because they depicted female nudity (a nipple is visible in the water birth photo). God forbid a beautiful photo of a natural process show a nipple. Do better, Facebook.
{Also read: 25 Gorgeous and Powerful Photos of Moms Delivering Their Own Babies}
(Image: Instagram / Marijke Thoen)
