Harm and offence online
Offensive language
British Council Search
International audiences
We balance our right to publish innovative and challenging content with our responsibility to protect the vulnerable.
When we publish challenging material which risks offending some of our audience we must always be able to demonstrate a clear editorial purpose and a positive intent to further mutual understanding.
We must be sensitive to audience expectations, particularly in relation to the protection of children. We must clearly signpost content that is challenging.
Online, there is no watershed. Our approach to harm and offence on the internet is based on the principle that we consider the expectations of the likely audience for the specific websites.
We offer a range of material and services on the internet that appeal to different sections of the public and are often targeted at specific groups. Web authors must be aware of what may offend the likely audience of any website. We will respect the views of that audience.
Judgements on the audience for web pages and its expectations will need to be informed by continuing research into usage:
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any material on the British Council home page must be suitable for a general audience including children |
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the first click from the British Council home page must not lead straight to a page which includes material that is unsuitable for a general audience |
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on other pages, material must be suitable for the likely audience; web authors must clearly label difficult material so as to avoid offending users or taking them by surprise - this includes difficult material that might be unsuitable for children; such signposts must be clear and factual but not inappropriately graphic |
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those planning web pages must be clear about whether they are likely to appeal to a high proportion of children or young people and choose material accordingly. |
Decisions about harm and offence online apply equally to user-generated content (see section 15) and links to third party websites (see section 12) as to content created by the British Council.
Offensive language can give rise to widespread offence. Certain English, mainly four letter words and their equivalents in other languages, may be used only in exceptional circumstances. There must be a clear editorial justification for their use and express approval must be obtained. Any proposal to use such a word on our websites must be referred in advance to the relevant person responsible for the output. Referral may also be made to Director Communications. Particular care must be taken in the publication online of music lyrics.
Offensive language and children
We must not include offensive language in online content likely to appeal to children.
British Council Search offers a search engine where users can search the internet for information. We also offer 'British Council recommended' sites, which are selected and monitored by in-house editorial staff.
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Be as transparent as possible about how our search results are generated including the safeguards against illegal and potentially harmful content and their limitations. |
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Publish our criteria for editorial selection of 'British Council recommended' sites. |
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Offer an easy way for users to give feedback if the search has generated links to inappropriate content. |
If we offer a search service for children’s sites, it must be designed for children. Each site must be chosen and reviewed for suitability by the operational team concerned.
We offer an international service. Website authors must be aware that cultural sensitivities vary and that audiences in other parts of the world may take great offence at something that would be unexceptional to a local audience. Advice on the sensitivities of the international audience may be obtained from the relevant regional directors. Where disagreements about the intercultural appropriateness of publishing particular content cannot otherwise be resolved, they must be referred to Director Communications for a final decision.
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