Does anonymity in online social groups cause a greater negative effect? According to Randi Zuckerburg, sister of Mark Zuckerburg founder and CEO of Facebook, anonymity on the internet hasto go away. Anonymity is the quality or state of being anonymous. In group settings this can cause both a positive and negative effect. Positively, it allows those who are behaving anonymously to remain hidden; often a good thing for those who are shy. Negatively, it does not allow for others to notice someone who is behaving anonymously which it turn does not voice that person’s opinion. The internet has given people the ability to voice what they have to say without having to speak around a large crowd. However these people have the choice to show their individuality or remain hidden without identity. Randi claims anonymity on the internet is more prone to cyber bullying and harassment due to the freedom of being able to say whatever you want without having to put your name on it. Although you cannot place an identity to the thought, sometimes this can be positive. It allows people to voice their thoughts freely. Cyber bullying and harassment continue to occur even when people show their identities.
The writer of this blog proposes a
different theory which explains why Randi Zuckerburg may be against anonymity
on the internet. He claims that business innovators such as Zuckerburg cannot
make money off personal thoughts if there is not an identity to go with it.
Therefore she is not fighting for anti-cyber bullying or anti-harassment. She is
simply trying to make more money.
I am not sure whether you can make
money off personal thoughts on the internet. However this blogger has a point.
Facebook, a site that puts a face to the thought, still exhibits cyber bullying
and harassment every day. People are constantly harassing each other on the
Facebook, and it is hard to ignore. I believe that anonymity on the internet is
of one’s choice. It depends on how you want to view the situation to determine
whether it produces a negative or positive outcome.
What's your perspective on the situation? Is anonymity on the internet positive or negative? Could anonymity be the answer to stopping cyber bullying and harassment?
What's your perspective on the situation? Is anonymity on the internet positive or negative? Could anonymity be the answer to stopping cyber bullying and harassment?
I like the topic of anonymity and privacy on the Internet. I believe Internet privacy has been non-existent for a long time thanks to data mining and Facebook is major contributor. Anonymity is different. I also think anonymity is a choice. I don't think forcing no anonymity would completely eliminate cyber bullying but only lessen it.
ReplyDeleteI feel that if someone wants to partake in social media or any form of it, especially on the internet then anonymity has be sacrificed and forfeited. There are a lot of mean people who use these forms of media to berate and demoralize people and they do it knowing that no one will ever know it was them who said it. Where is the protection against people like this and where are the consequences they should deal with for their behavior and actions?
ReplyDelete