The Veil of Anonymity

My brother said: "People feel that they can say anything they want online since they can hide behind the veil of anonymity..." And I started to think about this. What would happen if we had to use identification in order to gain access to a social media account? Something such as a driver's license, passport or a citizenship card? What would we do with this if it were required in order to own one? Would we become more responsible or would people be just as outspoken anyways?

The first argument we have to look at here is how people interact online knowing that they are behind a screen. This will show us the way in which we can build trust in people though, we may not actually know who they are. Or, how we can build mistrust in people through the fact that we indeed, know that these are 'troll' or 'fake' accounts created purely to engage in arguments with others.

Anonymous Interaction - Trolls and Fakers

Anonymous interaction has often considered to be one of the main reasons for people becoming 'trolls' or even argumentative to the point of insult online. The reason for this is because people know that behind a computer, there is a very low likeliness that they will be found out for anything that they say online. This includes things such as: misogyny, ableism, racism or even using racial slurs that are intended t0 criminalise a particular group of people on a certain topic appearing on news-based social media.

But what types of people are drawn to 'trolling' or creating fake accounts in order to make their view heard without being identified?

Those who hold beliefs in far-right politics that is normally looked upon as backward and not socially progressive have been known to create fake accounts in order to express their opinions of bias and bigotry without being reprimanded in real life. But the real question is - if they actually hold these beliefs then there really is not anything they should be afraid of and therefore, they should not require to create fake accounts.

There is a saying: 'the internet never forgets'. In which people have used things like 'the way back machine' etc. in order to dig up someone's social media history. If you have a fake account then there is no way of really using these to identify you. Whereas, if you are someone like me who uses their social media to grow their audience and to make friends then it can be traceable.

If they know that these things that they are saying are wrong and harmful, then they would not want an account that is connected to themselves since the way in which society works now is that people can be fired from their jobs because of making hateful and inflammatory comments online. I think that therefore, anonymous accounts or fake accounts should be banned. People should have to sign up using some form of formal identification in order to hold everyone responsible and accountable for what they say and do. Social media is becoming part of real life and because real life has rules and laws, so should the social stratosphere.

Anonymous Interaction - Illegal Engagements

The age of consent in the UK is sixteen and in the USA I believe in most parts it is eighteen. Therefore, any adult who is over these ages talking to minors who are under these ages has put themselves in a possible position of being blamed for illegal activities such as grooming etc. The best posible way to go about talking to minors is to make sure that they understand that there is an age difference and that you two cannot be close friends. It is simply not allowed. Help them to make friends with people their own age online and then leave. Do not hang about.

People who remain anonymous online such as people who create fake accounts in order to pretend they are younger than they actually or or people who have one follower and no posts even though they have been around for about three or four months - will always try to get the most out of their experience by doing something inflammatory. That does not just have to be making a rude comment. It can also be engaging in inappropriate discussions with a minor. Again, because it is very difficult to link the account to the person - it is therefore very difficult to hold the person accountable for this engagement.

If we were to make sure that people over the age of 16-18 had formal identification when online such as a driver's license or passport, then we could ensure the protection of children and teenagers by having a link from account to person. Not only will this bring down the amount of harm that could potentially be done but it will also give the parents of these children peace since their child is being protected online. Since when we are shopping for substances such as alcohol and medicines, we have to produced identification of being over a certain age - then why is it that we don't have to do the same online? It would make so much more sense.

Anonymous Interaction - Scammers

One of the most harmful groups of people on the internet are scammers. These people do not just go after minors, they do not just insult people, they seemingly go after everyone at any time for anything. They can pose as a friend or a supporter of a similar cause and lure you into their web of lies only to finally, some months later ask for some money to visit you or something. Then, they take the money, delete the account and they're gone forever. The account was in no way linked to their person and will be almost impossible for a regular person or force to locate.

This anonymity hides the fact that the scammer is not the same person that they claim to be online as they are in real life. Again, we could fix this problem by forcing these people who create these accounts to provide formal identification. This would stop scammers coming on to popular social media platforms and carrying out their scams and this will also prevent the scams of multiple accounts signed to the same person as the formal identification will recognise who they are and stop them from creating yet another account.

Conclusion:

What does this mean for the future?

Since social media is going to, or has already become, its own form of society we need to treat it as such. If you were to buy a restricted item from a shop then you would need to show identification. If you were known for showing fake identification, then they will refuse to serve you full stop and possibly restrict you from the store as you are deemed a risk. If you did have identification and it was you and you could prove it then you would be able to buy the item. But, if you did not have identification and were underage you would be restricted from buying the item. This also means that people underage would not be punished for speaking to someone who was not underage - the person with the identification would be.

We could fix these problems very easily and yet, the people who complain about people attempting to fix these are the same people who create the problems.