Question for the masses because I’m curious:

What do you think social media would be like if there was no anonymity?

Is it fair to say some people behave differently online because of anonymity?

Would it be good or bad if everything you posted could be tied back to you by your friends, family, employer, etc?

Some obvious concerns people express:

  • personal safety
  • freedom to express views contrary to community, government, etc without retaliation
  • fear of stigmas related to support, education, etc for stigma topics like mental health, sexuality, etc

What reasons do you have for not wanting to own your online identity other than being able to talk trash without being identified? Some people are public and still talk a lot of trash, looking at you Twitter.

You you got doxed, what do you think the impact would be just related to social media conduct?

Edit: With the introduction of online protections for minors, how does that affect the question?

Not from a political standpoint but from a technology one, how do you see that even working?

  • NimaEnglish
    4•1 year ago

    I was having a conversation with a friend about this just the other day, in fact. I feel that it would make a lot of things better, but a lot of things worse.

    Privacy would essentially boil down to normal internet users, and then the illegal ones. I feel a subset for illegally obtained identities would probably be par for the course. So how to actually enforce this seems really hard to conceptualize. At least for me.

    On one hand, I think trolls would either scamper away for fear of actually being held accountable for the things they say, or they’d double down and be even more bold.

    It would also enable stalking/harassment/potential violence towards those that are just going about their day.

    So I think it would absolutely make terrible people be held personally accountable for all they write/post online. But unfortunately, it would absolutely endanger those that don’t want to cause chaos and be trolls and join hate groups and stuff.

    Lots of good. But way too much danger to those that just want to talk about their favorite anime or whatever.

    • snooggums
      5•1 year ago

      On one hand, I think trolls would either scamper away for fear of actually being held accountable for the things they say, or they’d double down and be even more bold.

      Facebook proves the latter is more likely.