The internet has made it easier to connect with people from around the United States and even the entire world. Over 3.6 billion people were on social media last year, and you can bet that trend will continue to grow in years to come. While social media is a great way to meet new people and even build a personal following, sometimes the lack of anonymity can be a bit much.

Chan boards have become a favorite forum for people who share common interests and want to socialize online anonymously. So, what is a chan board? In this article, we’ll discuss that as well as how to conduct yourself in one.

What is a chan board?

Chan boards are usually part of the darknet, so you’re not alone if you’re wondering, “What are chan boards?” Chan boards—also known as imageboards—are online forums for sharing ideas and giving feedback.

Reddit is one of the more popular imageboards. It’s a great place to find inspiration for home decor and new recipes. You can find fitness tips and different ways to celebrate birthdays and holidays. In essence, it’s an idea board and exemplary of what an imageboard should be.

Don’t divulge any personal information.

The first thing you need to know about imageboard etiquette is that you should never divulge personal information. When you visit your first imageboard, you won’t be ready for all that awaits. It’s important to keep a lookout for social engineering attacks and hackers who’ll try to gain access to your sensitive information and use it against you, whether in the form of doxxing, a DDoS attack, or stealing your identity.

Enjoy and respect free speech.

One thing you’ll find about some chan boards like 8Chan is that they don’t have moderators or that their moderators uphold free speech even to the extent of hate speech. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. We’re certainly not encouraging you to engage, nor advocating for, hate speech. We’re merely preparing you for the world you’re entering.

The best thing to do when you enter an imageboard is to pay attention to the threads and the content people share. If the content doesn’t jibe with your personal values, exit the room. However, don’t try to play the role of the P.C. police, as it will not go well, and as someone will quickly remind you, this is the United States, and we have freedom of speech.

Don’t post illegal content.

Another thing you need to be aware of when on an imageboard is illegal content. Images, threads, and digital content on the darknet can cover a wide variety of topics, from something innocent and helpful, like a tutorial on how to create a pie chart, doughnut chart, bar chart, line graph, or any other graph type with your data values using Lucidpress, to illegal content such as child pornography. That took a quick and unexpectedly dark turn, right? Well, things can get dark quickly on the darknet.

It’s called the darknet for a reason. We all value privacy, but many chan boards operate on the darknet as a means of avoiding law enforcement. People have used these forums to talk about and plan mass shootings, riots, and even the kidnapping of public officials. Luckily, law enforcement has been able to thwart many of the crimes people have planned on chan boards, and you don’t want to be caught in such a roundup. Beware of illegal content, report it, and don’t engage, share, or post any of your own.

Indeed, chan boards can be great places to enjoy free speech and share ideas with like minds. However, it’s important to understand the world you’re entering when you access chan boards like 2Chan, 4Chan, 8Chan, and 8Kun. While not all forums are the same, it’s important to remember that the darknet can lead you into some dark places.