What is the purpose of a "leave this site now" button on a website?

March 2, 2017 6:43 PM

In the header of the PFLAG website, there is a very prominent link with the text "leave this site now" that takes you to Google. Why is it there? I've never seen something like this before and I wonder if it has some sort of accessibility purpose?
posted by loquacious crouton to Technology (4 answers total)

Best answer: It's the OH SHIT MY PARENTS/FRIENDS/CLASSMATES/COWORKERS MIGHT SEE I'M LOOKING AT A GAY WEBSITE NOTHING TO SEE HERE MOVE ALONG panic button. (For people who haven't got the chops to keep two tabs open at once or who are browsing on a mobile browser where tabs are hard.)
posted by blnkfrnk at 6:47 PM on March 2, 2017 [16 favorites]

Best answer: It's the "get me out" button, in case someone who may judge you or punish you sees your screen. You also see it on domestic violence websites.
posted by sockermom at 6:52 PM on March 2, 2017 [17 favorites]

I remember more than 30 years ago hearing about computer games that had a "supervisor key" that would save the game and pop up something innocuous on the screen. I think a spreadsheet was the example given. I never saw one myself.
posted by Bruce H. at 7:24 PM on March 2, 2017 [3 favorites]

Bruce H., you are thinking of the boss key which I first saw on Wolfenstein 3D and have always thought was a good idea.
posted by blnkfrnk at 8:18 PM on March 2, 2017 [6 favorites]