How often, if at all, do you use your real name on the internet when you are not required to do so? Think about the ‘handle’ you use for yourself on social network sites like Twitter or MySpace; consider the name you use when you are commenting on an article or blog that you have read; if you participate in online forums or newsgroups, do you use your real name or a ‘handle’? The chances are that unless you are forced to, you do not use your real name for much. Be it for the chance to post your views without the fear of repercussion, or the want to separate your ‘online life’ from your ‘real’ life, people tend to use (and often abuse) the right to anonymity on the internet. However, this may all be coming to a proposed defamation bill is passed in the UK.
Anonymity may encourage free speech but it also discourages responsibility
I think that everyone will agree that removing a person’s ability to systematically abuse another person online, or take part in cyber-bullying tactics like ‘trolling’, would be a delightful and enriching experience for the internet. But about people who use the ability to use a username to post a ‘real life’ story? For instance, what if a rape victim wanted to share their experience on a support forum, so that it may help others get over a similar ordeal? They would undoubtedly feel hesitant if they were forced to publish under their real name. Cyber-bullying is an extremely underestimated part of online activity, and is more frequent and more prevalent than a lot of the public realise. I have no doubt that someone who has been the victim of cyber-bullying would probably think that this potential bill is a good thing. I also know that someone who has benefitted from anonymous support over an illness or a traumatic experience would probably hate the thought of having that taken away. So how do we find a happy medium?
There are more that sites could be doing to both protect someone’s right to post anonymously, but also hold them responsibly for their posts if required. One idea could to have a universal, anonymous ‘username’ that is transferable amongst all websites. That way you can reap the benefits of publishing without someone knowing, yet be held accountable for their actions if that responsibility is abused. Another idea could be to have users enter their National Insurance number when registering with a site, so they could again be tracked if need be. There are hundreds of ways sites could register someones details to protect themselves against any libellous claims, so it seems a little extreme to remove a fundamental part of what the internet is about.
What are your thoughts on the matter? What would you do to find that equilibrium between anonymity and responsibility?