4chan is an anonymous image-based bulletin board where users can post text, images and videos. It was launched in 2003 by a 15-year-old, Christopher Poole, and quickly became popular around the world due to its freedom of expression. Visitors to 4chan don’t need to create an account and are free to explore the site without any restrictions.
The site is broken down into individual boards (referred to as “chans”) which are dedicated to specific topics from Japanese culture to technology, gaming, movie discussion and much more. On each board there are threads with various content posted by anonymous users that can be commented on and discussed by other visitors. 4chan has become renowned for its internet memes and shocking culture which includes anything from political diatribes to music composition.
4chan offers anonymity for its users but does not allow illegal activities or discussions of such nature on the boards. Other restrictions include no racism or pornography which have kept 4Chan’s reputation intact despite its sometimes controversial topics – something all sites like this have struggled with in the past. Despite receiving criticism over certain controversial issues, it is seen by many others as a platform for freedom of expression that should remain protected from censorship as it allows people from all walks of life a chance to express their thoughts in a safe space.
For those wishing to explore 4Chan further, we suggest using a VPN before connecting for privacy reasons as well as adblocks just in case you see any ads while browsing the boards (as there is potential advertising on some of them). Many also recommend reading the official rules of each board before participating in thread discussions as some may have stricter regulations than others – particularly regarding hate speech or politically charged topics which must adhere to community guidelines set out by Poole himself. Finally, if you ever feel overwhelmed or uncomfortable within any particular section then consider simply moving onto a different chan board where the content might better suit your interests.