Instagram bans breastfeeding picture

[Vivi_music]

As soon as I heard this news on the radio, I thought it was snark worthy.

Last Monday, a mother from Toronto had her Instagram account disabled after she posted a picture of herself breastfeeding her daughter on mother's day. Heather Bays is actually a professional photographer specialized in childbirth, infant and maternity pictures. From what I gather, some people reported the picture to Instagram on account of sexually explicit content. According to the company, the account was not disabled due to Bays’ breastfeeding photos, but due to images containing child nudity. Seriously?? Child nudity? This is ridiculous. I've seen ladies showing a lot more skin on Instagram and getting away with it no problemo. I understand some idiots complained about it to Instagram and they are to blame. But the website is also quite stupid. They should have checked the picture and used judgment instead of simply shutting the account down.

Here's the complete story, plus you can see the said picture. Not breaking the link because it's a news website. (I hope it's available in the US, the site is a canadian domain.)

http://globalnews.ca/news/1326160/toron ... ing-photo/

[Rebelwife]

Am I missing something? The only naked part of the child I can see is one arm. Instagram may want to try again on that one.

[yetanothermeg]

I don't know the ins and outs of this case, but I don't understand people posting nude pictures of their children on social media. It may be innocent to the parent, but you don't know what kind of pervs are out there looking for that exact content. As far as shutting down the account, adults posting their own scantily clad pics are adults and legally have the ability to consent, children do not have the ability to consent to their nude photos being distributed. There are a few nude pictures of me from my toddler years and I am very glad they are not out there for the world to see every time they google my or my mom's name.

[takers401]

I don't know the ins and outs of this case, but I don't understand people posting nude pictures of their children on social media. It may be innocent to the parent, but you don't know what kind of pervs are out there looking for that exact content. As far as shutting down the account, adults posting their own scantily clad pics are adults and legally have the ability to consent, children do not have the ability to consent to their nude photos being distributed. There are a few nude pictures of me from my toddler years and I am very glad they are not out there for the world to see every time they google my or my mom's name.

I think the issue is that this wasn't a nude photo of a child. The only 'naked' part of the child was her arm (you can't tell if she's wearing clothes or not as she's covered up with a blanket). You can see the side of Mom's boob that isn't covered by the nursing child.

My dislike is that so many breastfeeding photos get tossed in the porn category while photos that are just on the side of the porn line don't.

In general, I see your point. It's one thing for Mom and Dad to have a picture of a naked bottom on their bathroom wall. It's another to have it posted for all to see. I don't think you can base your posted pictures off of what some pervert would be into, though, as there are sickos who get off on all sorts of innocent things, but I do think discretion and discernment are good things to think of before hitting the post button.

[Bethella]

I think the issue is that this wasn't a nude photo of a child. The only 'naked' part of the child was her arm (you can't tell if she's wearing clothes or not as she's covered up with a blanket). You can see the side of Mom's boob that isn't covered by the nursing child.

My dislike is that so many breastfeeding photos get tossed in the porn category while photos that are just on the side of the porn line don't.

In general, I see your point. It's one thing for Mom and Dad to have a picture of a naked bottom on their bathroom wall. It's another to have it posted for all to see. I don't think you can base your posted pictures off of what some pervert would be into, though, as there are sickos who get off on all sorts of innocent things, but I do think discretion and discernment are good things to think of before hitting the post button.

The nursing photo isn't the photo that got the woman banned. She initially thought that she was banned because of that photo as there had already been some complaints about it but it was actually a photo of her daughter without a shirt on that got her banned.

[takers401]

The nursing photo isn't the photo that got the woman banned. She initially thought that she was banned because of that photo as there had already been some complaints about it but it was actually a photo of her daughter without a shirt on that got her banned.

My bad. I even went to the article to confirm. Guess I need to work on my reading skills. :)

[Toothfairy]

Certain things should be kept private.

[apple1]

Certain things should be kept private.

Do you mean breastfeeding pics? Or something else?

[shedemei]

It's like LiveJournal Nipplegate all over again! (Another situation that actually wasn't sparked by a breastfeeding pic, but did turn into it). Hopefully Pinterest will handle it better than LJ did.

[samurai_sarah]

Certain things should be kept private.

Babies should eat in private?

[Toothfairy]

Do you mean breastfeeding pics? Or something else?

I get breast feeding is natural, but why post pics for the world to see? Just like that after sex tag on Instagram. Why post pics telling the world you just had sex? Keep it to yourself.

[Toothfairy]

Babies should eat in private?

No, but grown adults shouldn't put it out there for the world to see and get upset when they get backlash. I get breast feeding is completely normal. But some parents are just setting themselves and their kid for criticism. Some also like the attention. I don't even think parents should take pics like this and post it on social media since the child has no say.

[samurai_sarah]

No, but grown adults shouldn't put it out there for the world to see and get upset when they get backlash. I get breast feeding is completely normal. But some parents are just setting themselves and their kid for criticism. Some also like the attention. I don't even think parents should take pics like this and post it on social media since the child has no say.

Oh, okay, so you're objecting to putting minors' pictures out in public. Am I getting that right?

[Toothfairy]

Oh, okay, so you're objecting to putting minors' pictures out in public. Am I getting that right?

I'm objecting parents putting embarrassing photos in public and on the web where everyone can see. The kid can't consent to it.

[DGayle]

I don't know the ins and outs of this case, but I don't understand people posting nude pictures of their children on social media. It may be innocent to the parent, but you don't know what kind of pervs are out there looking for that exact content. As far as shutting down the account, adults posting their own scantily clad pics are adults and legally have the ability to consent, children do not have the ability to consent to their nude photos being distributed. There are a few nude pictures of me from my toddler years and I am very glad they are not out there for the world to see every time they google my or my mom's name.

Take a look at the nursing pic. Go on. I'll wait.

And nope, a shirtless pic of a child isn't nudity.

[Ursula]

I get breast feeding is natural, but why post pics for the world to see? Just like that after sex tag on Instagram. Why post pics telling the world you just had sex? Keep it to yourself.

NEVER!

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(Note: I didn't actually just have sex... :cry: )

In all seriousness though, I agree with you to an extent. People share way too much on social media now a days about themselves, but that's fine, they are consenting adults. It's the over-sharing about minors that makes me uncomfortable. I didn't pay much attention to it until the past couple of years as my friends started having their own children. I love seeing pictures of their kids being cute, playing, seeing how much they grow month to month, etc. But I don't want to hear about their meltdowns in the terrible twos, or know how toilet training is going. And I certainly don't want to see PICTURES of those things...which I sadly have. There is a reason STFU Parents website exists. I would never submit a friend to it, but boy have I been tempted.

I have no problem whatsoever with breastfeeding pictures though. I have one of myself nursing that maybe I'll scan someday and share (if my mom is okay with that, of course). The more normalized something so completely normal and natural and beneficial becomes the better for us all.

[apple1]

I get breast feeding is natural, but why post pics for the world to see? Just like that after sex tag on Instagram. Why post pics telling the world you just had sex? Keep it to yourself.

Wow. You are equating two unrelated things - and imposing your own hangup on others.

[Vivi_music]

Oh well, if the picture in the article isn't the one that got this woman banned: my bad.

That being said, if a woman is comfortable enough to post of picture of herself online while breastfeeding, I don't see why she can't. Maybe I wouldn't do it, but it's her body and her baby. I understand minors on the internet can be a touchy subject, but put your FB, Instagram, etc. profile private if you're worried about that.

I didn't pay much attention to it until the past couple of years as my friends started having their own children. I love seeing pictures of their kids being cute, playing, seeing how much they grow month to month, etc. But I don't want to hear about their meltdowns in the terrible twos, or know how toilet training is going. And I certainly don't want to see PICTURES of those things...which I sadly have. There is a reason STFU Parents website exists. I would never submit a friend to it, but boy have I been tempted.

I'm being the devil's advocate here, but in your reasoning, parents can post pictures/status about their kids only if everything is going fine? They can't share the struggle of parenting with their friends online? Come on. :confusion-scratchheadyellow:

[nellautumngirl]

I completely agree with Toothfairy, certain things should be kept private. It's not the worst thing in the world of course, but it just seems disrespectful to the children who have no say in who sees the photos. I feel the same way about traditional pictures, I don't think it's fun to show the whole room "funny" baby pictures when the person really doesn't want it.