Facebook community standards

Facebook is a global community where millions of people connect with each other. Each of these people represents unique opinions, ideals and cultural values. Out of consideration for this diversity, we work to foster an environment where everyone can openly discuss issues and express their views, while respecting the rights of others.

When millions of people get together to share things that are important to them, sometimes these discussions and posts include controversial topics and content. We believe this online dialog mirrors the exchange of ideas and opinions that happens throughout people's lives offline, in conversations at home, at work, in cafes and in classrooms.

As a trusted community of friends, family, coworkers and classmates, Facebook is largely self-regulated. People who use Facebook can and do report content that they find questionable or offensive. To balance the needs and interests of a global community we ask everyone to respect the following content standards:

• Threats

  We want our members to feel safe on the site. Any credible threats to harm others will be removed. We may also remove support for violent organizations.

• Promoting self-harm

  Facebook is not a place for self-destructive behavior. To that end we don't allow the promotion of suicide, "cutting", eating disorders or illegal drug use. We take threats of suicide very seriously and will contact the relevant authorities when we become aware of them.

• Bullying & harassment

  As a community, we place a high value on respecting each other, and take reports of harassment very seriously. We take action when private individuals are bullied or persistently contacted against their wishes. While we encourage you to make meaningful new connections, please keep in mind that contacting strangers or people you've never met in person can be a form of harassment.

• Hate speech

  Facebook does not tolerate hate speech. Please grant each other mutual respect when you communicate here. While we encourage the discussion of ideas, institutions, events and practices, it is a serious violation of our terms to single out individuals based on race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability or disease.

• Graphic violence

  While we are a platform for sharing events that take place in your life and around the world, any inappropriately graphic content will be removed when found on the site. Sadistic displays of violence against people or animals, or depictions of sexual assault, are prohibited.

• Sex & nudity

  We have a strict "no nudity or pornography" policy. Any content that is inappropriately sexual will be removed. Before posting questionable content, be mindful of the consequences for you and your environment.

• Theft, vandalism or fraud

  We are trying to make the world a more open, connected and ultimately better place. Organising acts that harm others through theft, vandalism or fraud is a violation of our terms.

• Identity & privacy

  Facebook is a community where real people connect and share using their real identities. When you represent yourself accurately on Facebook, you are helping to build trust and safety for everyone. Claiming to be someone else, creating multiple accounts or falsely representing an organisation undermines this trust and violates our terms. Please also refrain from publishing other people's personal information.

• Intellectual property

  Before sharing content on Facebook, please be sure you have the right to do so. We ask that you respect copyrights, trademarks and other legal rights.

• Phishing & spam

  We take the safety of our members seriously and work to prevent attempts to compromise their privacy or security. We also ask that you respect our members by not contacting them for commercial purposes without their consent.

Reporting abuse

If you see something on Facebook that you believe violates our terms, you can report it to us. Please keep in mind that reporting a person, organization or piece of content doesn't guarantee its removal from the site.

Because of the diversity of our community, it's possible that something could be disagreeable or disturbing to you without meeting the criteria for being removed or blocked. For this reason, we also offer personal controls over what you see, such as the ability to hide or quietly cut ties with people, Pages or applications that offend you.

Content that does violate our terms may be removed from our site and (in some cases) subject to legal or other action.