Why do some people develop an "Online Personality"?

United States
September 19, 2011 10:33pm CST
So I have noticed that a lot of people that talk online are so much more open than if they were in person. Perhaps its easier to open up in front of a computer screen rather than another person? I find that I myself respond much better through written words rather than expressing them. I can write more than I could ever say. My writing thinks much faster than I myself do ha! If someone is introverted do they exemplify an outgoing personality through forums, chats, and other socializing sites by what they want to see or how they really are? Now for myself I can't completely be myself with someone until they've gotten some good down time with myself and we've grown together. Then I sort of let everything out one at a time. Which is just how I am. So what I'm saying is that they don't really develop an "online personality", but maybe something close to their real self. Are you yourself introverted and portray a personality different from you really are? Or is it the exact opposite as well? I myself act a certain way with my family than I do with other people. What's your take on this?
1 person likes this
12 responses
vikku2001
@vikku2001 (258)
• India
20 Sep 11
Hello blackwinged The same problem was also with me.But since I joined myLot, I got so much confidence to about any discussion.Outside I feel some awkwardness while talking but here I lost all my shyness.I just want to learn how to apply this confidence besides online as it is more needed than here.
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
There is nothing wrong with being awkward or shy. It's just a part of ourselves. If we wish to be more open with ourselves then we must gradually learn to be ourselves and let go of the fear that stops us from acting how we want :). In the end I hope you can be yourself everywhere.
Nats1984
@Nats1984 (1)
• South Africa
20 Sep 11
I feel exactly the same way, I can be myself online with no threat to being embaressed or ridiculed in front of people. I guess it has somthing to do with insecurity in life and a bit of low self esteem. I think if we can try to become more confident online it will overflow to our "real lives" and encourage us to be ourselves :-)
bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Sep 11
I think that the anonymity helps create this 'online personality'. Shyness goes by the wayside when you know that nobody can really judge you to your face. Even if people don't like what you do or what you say online, you are still protected by an anonymous username. Admittedly, I am the same way.
bounce58
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
20 Sep 11
I certainly understand, as it can be a big thing for creeps too!
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Being anonymous has its good and bad sides. I mean on one side you can freely express yourself and be someone you normally aren't yet on the other there are those that can act in such a horrible and immature way. Anonymity is a very big thing to the internet.
Aoi Hana
@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
Yes, I am one of those. I am introverted in person but online I find that I can speak more freely. Not that I became I blabbermouth now, I just find that I'm not as shy, and words do form faster here online than in person. I find that I can express myself better in writing than in speaking. And not only that. There are times when I could be mean online. Talk about online personality. Maybe it has something to do with being introverted in real life. I do sometimes think if this is really who I am, or supposed to be, if I'm not hindered by my fear or shyness? But then again, fear and shyness are part of who I am, so it just goes around in circle. I do remember in one episode of "Glee" where Emma said that her phobia is a part of who she is, and Mr. Shu said that it is only a hindrance to who she is supposed to be, of who she can be. So it's difficult to say which is which. But I am happier that at least there is a place for me to express. And maybe we could say that this is a training of some sort, don't you agree?
Aoi Hana
@swirlz (3136)
• Philippines
21 Sep 11
I do hope the same thing.
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
It's something very mind boggling isn't it? Though I do like that quote from Glee you jsut said. I think its nice that if you are introverted (i'm a little introverted) that we can express ourselves a little more freely online than in person. Though I do hope that I can be more open with people outside the internet as well. So its a positive thing in my opinion. The internet is free for all introverts and extroverts :D
1 person likes this
nadooa247
@nadooa247 (1096)
• United States
20 Sep 11
Some people are more honest than they would be in real life because when it comes to online discussions there is no fear of getting ones face punched in for saying things that others wont agree with lol... As for myself in real life i am a bit too straight forward which annoys too many people to keep track of! However, honestly.. yes i am a bit more honest online than in real life. My views are the same, but i am more honest with what it is i am thinking. Also as you said.. my mind goes way faster than what i can express through verbal words! Online a person can re-read what they wrote and tweak it till it feels as close as possible to their train of thought. When speaking out loud sometimes a person gets flustered not knowing how to organize their thoughts. Again, yep.. people tend to be at LEAST slightly different than how they are online.
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I completely agree with that. I remember watching youtube videos about the most horrible things people have to say. There was that one video where an extreme christian lady was talking about God being good for the earthquake in japan. It was quickly removed. I am just like you, with the exception that I don't get many people mad at my responses ha ha. I do like to analyze my response and determine the other side of the argument or maybe look from their perspective and give out the best answer I can think of but i have trouble completely grabbing that idea. Still I will get better at with practice. This is already something I do with people but the words don't flow out as easily.
Michrisben
@Michrisben (21)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I think this is really true. I've thought about this and I've always thought that online you can speak directly from your brain, if that makes any sense. There is no physicality to get in the way.
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
It's easier to write out what your thinking than actually saying them right.
0CoOlGuY0
@0CoOlGuY0 (103)
• Portugal
20 Sep 11
I have 3 types of personalities:Internet, friends and family!!!I'm pretty fun on the 1st and last one but a bit shy with face-to-face friends!!!Thats the result of being alone in front of the computer for hours!
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
You should learn to have fun with frieds!! It's nothing compared to the internet :p. I end up going out whenever I have the time, but school and work and my family needs help with certain things prevent me most of the time. Right now I'm waiting for a class to start at school. I'm lucky I have not been given much homework lately which means I can spend a little time on here :)
maximax8
@maximax8 (31053)
• United Kingdom
20 Sep 11
Anyone can open up in front of a computer screen up many people are not able to open up in front of people. Imagine typing a letter if a mistake occurs a word or sentence can be deleted. In real life a word can't be taken back. In real life a person watching can see body language, hear the tone of voice and see what the person looks like. Some people on My Lot have a picture instead of a photo of them as their avatar. It is easier for a shy person to develop an on-line personality. My sister is quite shy and some of her children are very shy. One of her kids is an elective mute and I think that is about shyness. I hope that he will join My Lot when he is older and it might increase his confidence. Everyone acts in a different way with close family I think.
sanjana_aslam
@sanjana_aslam (4187)
• Malaysia
20 Sep 11
Guilty as charged !! I am one of them too ... i dont like people to judge me, real friends and family are very judgemental, not leaving at that they like to spread stories and self made tales about us and our characters ... Which is why i am what they want me to be in front of them and i am who i am actually with my screen friends i dont care how u judge me cheers
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
ha ha I see. There is nothing wrong with that. I think I'm a bit more mature online than I am at home. There's not much to pick about on someone when you can't see them face to face. Then again there are just some things you just can't share with family and be comfortable about.
marguicha
@marguicha (216910)
• Chile
20 Sep 11
I suppose that part of it is that there are so many people, and interests, to talk about here that you don´t usually have nearby at your home. I think that I´m pretty near myself here as I am in real life but, as I said, there are a lot more of interests where to express myself. Take care and happy posting!
ebuscat
@ebuscat (5935)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
For me they feel easy for that case no hassle in going to work just riding a car.
karstine29
@karstine29 (694)
• Philippines
20 Sep 11
wow.. the term online personality is cool. I actually believe on this. It really took a lifetime to know a person. Much more to yourself. Some are outspoken people, meaning they used to express their feelings towards other people without hesitation. However, there are also some who remains quiet. But you might not know what are their real feelings are. Some are comfortable in writing it on their so called DIARIES.. however, some prefer blogging it. Well, everybody has their own way of expressing their feelings, thoughts and their own selves. We should always remember that its a positive side of a person if he/she knows how to do it. So, developing this so called online personality is good. At least in our own little way, we could exchange thoughts with other people. I am actually one of those who doesn't talk much but blog very much.. haha.. :)
blackwinged
@blackwinged (99)
• United States
20 Sep 11
I had a little trouble coming up with the term online personality ha ha. Expression of emotion has become pretty big on the internet now. I start to wonder how everyone used to let out their problems before the internet. If I ever have the need to randomly vent out to someone the internet is the best place for it. It's also weird because we develop these relations online that differ from our actual lives. I guess in that way we develop our own sort of persona online. Of course its not true for everyone but I can't help but wonder that there are many people out there doing something close to that. Its still a little hard for me to put in words. I am thinking about becoming an active blogger myself :P but I can't come up with enough material and being a little perfectionist I would like to take an english class and learn how to grammatically correct my sentences. :P
Patti G
@Pattitude (1287)
• Newton, North Carolina
1 Nov 15
I think you are right, it is the fact that they do not see the person or people. They are just looking at their computer screen. I think that is how some online relationships begin, too, they do not see the other individual. I, however, have no problem s peaking my mind on or offline.