A trigger warning (TW) is a notice preceding certain content that alerts viewers to the fact that it may be potentially distressing or emotionally challenging.

In the context of social media, influencers use trigger warnings, for example, for topics such as mental health, violence, eating disorders, trauma, or other sensitive content. The goal is to give followers the opportunity to decide for themselves whether they want to view the content or not.

Trigger warnings are usually placed at the beginning of a video, in the caption, or in the first few seconds of a post—often using phrases like “Trigger Warning” or “TW” followed by the relevant topic.

For influencers, this is an important part of engaging responsibly with their community. For followers, it creates transparency and protection, especially for people who are sensitive to certain content.