These specially created versions of some of the articles shared within the ANW community are available to read without signing in to ANW. They are shared around the internet to help encourage a better understanding and appreciation of naturism and to inspire more people to try this amazing, healthy and universal family friendly life choice. 

If these interviews and articles inspire you to find out more about naturism or capture the spirit of naturism/nudism that you already love then join ANW today. 

We reach out to all new members with an introduction so do reply with any questions and share some feedback on the articles that you have enjoyed. 

We look forward to meeting you, Anna and Steve, Team - ANW  

At the start of 2025 we shared this article about naturism in social media: 

Naturism On General Social Media

Recently the INF have sent an open letter and press announcement in relation to attempting to change Meta's policy towards nudity particularly on Instagram and Facebook. 

Edwin Kilby has written a great article about this on the INF website with links to the letter and announcement: INF ARTICLE

The Press release explains that: "The letter emphasizes that this issue goes beyond naturism, calling attention to how censorship of non-sexual nudity perpetuates body shame and undermines the promotion of body positivity. It calls for platforms to foster inclusivity and authenticity by adopting fairer and more consistent moderation practices." and goes on to explain "Naturism has a century-old history as a wholesome, family-friendly practice. “For years, naturists have faced unjust censorship on platforms that misclassify non-sexual nudity as explicit content,” said Stéphane Deschênes, President of INF-FNI. “This is not only unfair to our community but also sends a damaging message to society that the human body is inherently shameful. Social media has the power to normalize inclusivity and body positivity, but it’s time for change.”" 

The letter outlines four clear demands:
1. Recognize naturism as a valid, non-sexual expression by creating explicit policy exceptions, similar to those allowed for artistic nudity.
2. Improve moderation practices to distinguish between explicit content and non-sexual nudity.
3. Collaborate with naturist experts to develop fairer policies and better train automated systems.
4. Increase transparency in content moderation decisions and appeals.

And goes on to explain: "This initiative highlights growing concerns about Big Tech’s role as cultural gatekeepers, shaping societal norms through inconsistent and overly aggressive moderation practices. Naturist organizations rely on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to build communities, promote events, and challenge outdated taboos, but these efforts are consistently stifled by post removals, account suspensions, and shadow bans—causing tangible harm. The letter emphasizes that these actions go beyond naturism, perpetuating body shame and harmful beauty standards while often allowing sexually suggestive content to pass under the guise of “art.” This inconsistency undermines trust in moderation systems and highlights the urgent need for platforms like Meta to take accountability
and adopt fairer, more inclusive policies."

The letter itself argues: "The damage caused by the inappropriate censorship of naturist content goes beyond our community, sending a damaging message that the human body is inherently shameful. In a society grappling with mental health challenges, this reinforces feelings of inadequacy and fuels harmful ideals tied to unattainable beauty standards.

Social media platforms have the power to champion authenticity and inclusivity. By embracing naturist content, you can create spaces that celebrate diversity, foster connection, and promote self-acceptance. This is a chance for Meta and others to lead by example, shaping a digital landscape where everyone feels valued and respected.

It’s time to stop perpetuating shame and exclusion. Let’s work together to ensure social media uplifts and empowers all voices."

Let's face it none of this can be considered wrong or arguable, and Meta's stance on the human body is unhealthy and negative and should be changed. So "thumbs up" for all of the above. 

If Meta did change their policies how would they put them into practice? Platforms like Twitter have not been able to find a balance. Is there a way of allowing nudity but keeping it "family friendly, innocent and healthy" - Twitter, Me We etc certainly seem unable or unwilling to find it. 

Here on ANW we have policies about photo sharing that keeps the site non-sexual, but even then some people feel certain photos appear too exhibitionist in nature, and there is always going to be the occasional person who attempts to break the rules. Steve and I are highly visible on the site ensuring things stay on track and the community is behind us on that. But Facebook has many millions of users and the vast majority do not care about naturism or understand it. How would Facebook ever begin to work out what is suitable and what isn't among the millions of nudes that will be shared should they change their stance? Because it isn't just about an image having sexual activity, there are all sorts of nuances that turn a photo into something that feels pornographic or explicit in nature, and all sorts of messages that can be conveyed. 

The last two times I logged into Facebook I was sent a close up photo of a user's aroused penis, both times I blocked and reported the individuals involved. This is not rare, and I have done this to hundreds of men over the last 9 years of running a naturist based profile on Facebook. This is how some people behave with the ban, how would they behave without it? 

Yes Facebook does body shame in its rules, but those rules have been created partly in response to the fact that they know people can not behave. Give Facebook users enough rope and they will tie themselves up with some of it and ask to be whipped with the rest. 

Yesterday on Tumblr I was asked to follow an account that was simply image after image of different young people on beaches. This not only sexualises naturism but also makes naturism seem an insecure life choice. Walk on a beach and who knows who will snap you up and share you across the internet. 

Could it not be argued that a non-nudity policy at least stops people from using words like naturism to create fake profiles and accounts that sexualise nudity, share hundreds of stolen photographs of strangers and bring naturism into disrepute. 

Websites like Twitter and MeWe have untold numbers of people pretending to be naturists and then getting sexual kicks from the images and posts they share. How many people does this put off naturism? How can we measure the damage this does to naturism?

Even genuine naturists can appear exhibitionist to those on these platforms who do not know naturism. "Why is that person standing naked in their home and posting it on their profile? Is it to offend others, shock others, or for a thrill?" And let's face it most people do not go to Twitter, Facebook or any of these places for naturism. They go either wishing to see sexualised nudity or not wishing to see nudity at all. By forcing nudity unexpectedly upon them are we not in danger of doing more harm than good in creating a bigger awareness of naturism? 

If we want a naturist world then the current policies on Facebook and Instagram are wrong, but so are the ones on Twitter and MeWe and many others. I guess this topic is about which policy is worse? Or if we as naturists need to ignore both policies and try a middle ground that we believe in - it works here on ANW. Facebook with all the will in the world will not be capable of ensuring that "naturists" are happy with their nudity policy. The INF is right to flag up the issues and their letter and press release makes a lot of sense, but in practice it will be down to the individuals around the world to follow what ever rules are set, and the vast majority will be looking from day one to break the rules. 

Look for example at the relaxation of breast feeding images on Facebook. A good decision, but one that has been abused more than it has been well used. Profiles exist with image after image of different young mother's breast feeding with a message that these images are sex-y, exhibitionist and available for voyeuristic kicks. Naturism will be treated with the same contempt.   

Meta should definitely change and hopefully the INF will encourage this, but it will not change the people who populate these platforms. ANW exists to promote naturism and to supply a naturist environment that has policies directly created for naturists and people come to ANW expecting to find naturism and naturists, with the express purpose of sharing naturism. We can never expect to find that on Facebook or other general social media websites. Their rules can be tweaked, their policies amended, and as naturists we should use them to encourage a better understanding of naturism around the world, but we have to always remember that naturism will only be a part of these websites and as naturists we are there as guests, sharing these platforms with millions of people who don't want nudity at all or want it for sexual purposes. If you want a website that gives you the real naturist experience allowing you to connect with naturists all over the world then your time is best spent on ANW regardless of what policies, good or bad, these other websites have. 

Thanks for reading, Anna

Anna with her husband Steve built ANW during 2018 and 2019. They launched ANW in May 2020 and they have written around 300 articles and diaries for ANW as "A Naturist Family" as well as regular contributions to various magazines around the naturist world.  

ANW welcomes all who are respectful and interested in naturism and invite all genuine naturist organisations, clubs, events, venues and other opportunities to be part of the ANW community and work with us to encourage the growth and acceptance of naturism around the world. If you have any questions email Anna and Steve at [email protected]


© 2025  Anna and www.anaturistworld.com All Rights Reserved


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