{"id":1008,"date":"2015-03-01T23:11:50","date_gmt":"2015-03-01T23:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/maybulmanontheweb.wordpress.com\/?p=55"},"modified":"2015-03-01T23:11:50","modified_gmt":"2015-03-01T23:11:50","slug":"reflective-summary-topic-2-7","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.soton.ac.uk\/uosm2008-2015\/2015\/03\/01\/reflective-summary-topic-2-7\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflective Summary: Topic 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

This topic has been a bit of a whirlwind for me. The term ‘Multiple Online Identities’ seemed, on the outset, to be such a simple concept, yet there are some really deep questions that much be considered when debating\u00a0the pros and cons.<\/p>\n

While I was quick to consider the concept of online anonymity, I initially thought only about the risks it entails, such as cyberbullying and catfishing.<\/p>\n

Tatiana<\/a>\u00a0powerfully conveyed these risks through her blog post the dangers of having online multiple identities, from identity theft\u00a0and cyberbullying to the\u00a0blurred lines between privacy settings and intellectual property (giving a personal example of a celebrity nabbing her photo).<\/p>\n

However, over the course of the week, as I read around the topic more, I started considering the importance of anonymity with regards to its positive effects. I found a study<\/a> which found that 50% of all anonymous commenters online do so to engage with political debates, while only 5% do so for bullying purposes.<\/p>\n

This opened my eyes to the way that anonymity allows\u00a0for people to engage in discussions on important issues, without the risk of repercussions or personal attacks. I had an interesting\u00a0discussion with Tatianna<\/a> in her comments about the idea of online anonymity fostering engagement in intellectual debate, and\u00a0the fact that it can actually provide a\u00a0platform of expression for those in country’s that don’t permit free speech.<\/p>\n

Jens<\/a>, in his post, brought up the idea of the ‘choice’ that all Web users must make about whether they maintain one entirely authentic identity, or whether they use the Web\u00a0as an opportunity to express themselves behind a ‘mask’, rendering them\u00a0able to communicate what we like.<\/p>\n

Personally speaking, I prefer to maintain a single, authentic identity online, and am confident enough that I can communicate my views\u00a0under my true persona\u00a0without causing offence or embarrassment to myself.<\/p>\n

However, I know that many people do not find themselves in this position- particularly those who want to express something a little more controversial, or indeed those in certain countries around the world\u00a0who are at risk of punishment if they\u00a0express their own political opinions.<\/p>\n

To wrap up, I would say that the possibility of having multiple online identities and\u00a0to be anonymous online certainly\u00a0entails risks. However, to ban anonymity on the Web and confine everyone to an authentic identity would be to remove the aspect of the Web that gives people who feel\u00a0unable to communicate themselves\u00a0in\u00a0the real world\u00a0the chance to have a voice.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a> \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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