1) Shitposting & Off-Topic Content
We do not tolerate “shitposting”—defined as posting low-quality, disruptive, or intentionally derail-oriented content. This includes:
- Thread Jacking: Hijacking a discussion to change the topic.
- Derailment: Posting repetitive memes, inside jokes, or bad-faith rhetoric to disrupt a conversation.
- Spamming: Flooding forums with non-commercial, irrelevant, or repetitive posts.
Keep discussions constructive and on-topic. Disruptive behavior will result in content removal and potential account restrictions.
2) Shitposting & Content Guidelines for the Daily Off-Topic Thread
While the daily The World Forum thread is the dedicated space for casual banter, memes, and random conversations, we still maintain standard decorum to keep it enjoyable for everyone. Even there, “shitposting” has its limits.
The following behaviors are not allowed:
- Malicious Derailment: Intentionally disrupting an ongoing casual conversation with aggressive, hostile, or bad-faith rhetoric.
- Spamming: Flooding the thread with repetitive posts, massive walls of text, or identical memes that drown out other users.
- Rule Breaking: Standard community rules regarding hate speech, harassment, NSFW content, and commercial spam still strictly apply.
Have fun and keep it friendly—this thread is for relaxing, not ruining the vibe. Repeatedly disrupting the thread will result in temporary or permanent account restrictions.
3) Pornography & Adult Content
In alignment with the Disqus Terms of Service, pornography and explicit adult content are strictly prohibited.
Definition: We define pornography as any graphic material (images, videos, or links) displaying genitalia, explicit nudity, and/or sexual acts.
- Enforcement: Pornographic content will be deleted on sight.
- Consequences for Violations:
- First Offense: The user will receive a warning, and/or the affected thread may be deleted.
Subsequent Offenses: Will result in a 3-day suspension or a permanent ban, depending on severity.
4) Targeted Harassment
In alignment with the Disqus Terms of Service, we have a zero-tolerance policy for targeted harassment. We review all harassment claims on a strict, case-by-case basis.
Prohibited behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- Bullying & Stalking: Repeatedly targeting, following, or hostilely engaging with a specific user across multiple threads.
- Malicious Attacks: Directing insults, slurs, or personal attacks at an individual to intimidate or silence them.
- Doxxing: Sharing a user’s private or personally identifiable information without their consent.
Harassment will result in a request for immediate content removal at risk of severe and severe account restrictions, up to and including a permanent ban.
5) Website Promotion & Spam
In alignment with Disqus policies, we restrict self-promotion to keep our discussions organic and free of spam.
Permitted Promotion: You may feature a link to your personal website, Disqus Channel, or social media profile only within your user profile.
Prohibited Promotion: Dropping links to your own website, channel, or products within comment threads or posts is considered spam and is strictly forbidden.
Exception: You may only share promotional links within a thread if you have received explicit, prior approval from a Moderator.
6) The Spirit of Free Speech
We strongly believe in and support the spirit of free speech. However, free speech does not give anyone the right to silence others.
Online behaviors intended to censor, drown out, or intimidate fellow community members are strictly prohibited. This includes:
- Drowning Out Discourse: Flooding a thread with low-effort noise, repetitive spam, or hostile text specifically to bury another user’s viewpoint.
- Weaponized Report Buttons: Mass-reporting comments you simply disagree with in an attempt to get them automatically hidden or deleted.
- Intimidation: Using aggressive, bad-faith tactics designed to bully another user into leaving a discussion or deleting their posts.
True free speech requires an environment where everyone can speak. Tactics designed to censor others will result in content removal and account restrictions.
7) On-Topic Discussion
When participating in a News Discussion Thread, please keep your comments directly relevant to the featured article or topic.
Stay Focused: Ensure your replies contribute meaningfully to the specific news event being discussed.
Avoid Derailment: Do not use news threads to pivot to unrelated personal grievances, general banter, or entirely different political topics.
Use the Right Space: If a news story sparks an entirely unrelated tangent, please move that conversation to our Daily Off-Topic Chat Thread.
To keep our news sections readable and informative, off-topic comments or lengthy tangents may be moderated or removed.
8) Conflict Resolution & Suspensions
Temporary bans (time-outs) are issued for ongoing violations of these Community Guidelines or the Disqus Terms of Service.
Fixed Suspensions: Some bans are strictly time-sensitive (e.g., 24 hours or 3 days) and will lift automatically once the time expires.
Resolution Suspensions: Other bans are issued to move a conflict away from the public boards so it can be resolved privately. If you are placed on a resolution suspension, your account will remain restricted until you reach out to the moderator.
How to Appeal a Ban: If you have been suspended or banned and wish to appeal, please contact the moderation team via email:
Email: proffrink24@gmail.com
Subject Line: “Why am I banned at IFP?”
We are entirely willing to work through issues via email to get your account reinstated. However, if a user chooses not to contact us to resolve the matter, the ban will remain in place permanently.
Free Speech lives here!