Internet Anonymity
Jessica Cherkassky
FCWR 151 M01
Dr. J. Griffiths
Research Paper Final Draft
May 10, 2013
Internet Anonymity
Oscar Wilde once said, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” Over the internet, many people gain more courage to say what’s truly on their minds because they feel protected behind a computer screen. They aren’t embarrassed or afraid to express their feelings because as long as their identity remains hidden nobody in real life will judge them about it in the future. The internet allows people to be whoever they want and say whatever they want without people actually knowing whether or not they are telling the truth. Everyone is considered equal, regardless of how they look, and is capable of being whoever they’d like. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of online anonymity and often use it in harmful ways such as bullying, trolling, and stalking. However, if one is wise about their behavior online, the pros of internet anonymity outweigh the cons. When one goes online, they create a separate identity for themselves. “Now that everyone is able to entertain or publish online, the Internet persona is a fact of life for all of us, and it is a permanent, written record of our lives out there for all to see,” said Ted Claypoole, a lawyer who is also referred to as the Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Privacy and Data Security Subcommittee for the American Bar Association 's Business Law Section (3). Sometimes it is an accurate depiction of who they really are and other times it’s who they are incapable of being in real life. “You’re a model? Cool! I’m a Chippendale’s dancer. I also race speed boats. What’s your sign?” said the man in the cartoon to the right.Figure 1- Honesty on the Internet
Figure 1- Honesty on the Internet Clearly, he is not a Chippendale’s dancer nor is she a model. It’s very possible though that they wish they were and the internet gives them the opportunity to do so.
FCWR 151 M01
Dr. J. Griffiths
Research Paper Final Draft
May 10, 2013
Internet Anonymity
Oscar Wilde once said, “Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.” Over the internet, many people gain more courage to say what’s truly on their minds because they feel protected behind a computer screen. They aren’t embarrassed or afraid to express their feelings because as long as their identity remains hidden nobody in real life will judge them about it in the future. The internet allows people to be whoever they want and say whatever they want without people actually knowing whether or not they are telling the truth. Everyone is considered equal, regardless of how they look, and is capable of being whoever they’d like. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of online anonymity and often use it in harmful ways such as bullying, trolling, and stalking. However, if one is wise about their behavior online, the pros of internet anonymity outweigh the cons. When one goes online, they create a separate identity for themselves. “Now that everyone is able to entertain or publish online, the Internet persona is a fact of life for all of us, and it is a permanent, written record of our lives out there for all to see,” said Ted Claypoole, a lawyer who is also referred to as the Co-Chair of the Cyberspace Privacy and Data Security Subcommittee for the American Bar Association 's Business Law Section (3). Sometimes it is an accurate depiction of who they really are and other times it’s who they are incapable of being in real life. “You’re a model? Cool! I’m a Chippendale’s dancer. I also race speed boats. What’s your sign?” said the man in the cartoon to the right.Figure 1- Honesty on the Internet
Figure 1- Honesty on the Internet Clearly, he is not a Chippendale’s dancer nor is she a model. It’s very possible though that they wish they were and the internet gives them the opportunity to do so.
Cited: * Guernsey, Lisa. The Chronicle of Higher Education 43. 6 (Oct 4, 1996): A23.ProQuest.Web * Rubinchik, Nataliya. "Internet Anonymity." Personal interview. 05 Apr. 2013.