Being anonymous online allowed people to be more authentic or more toxic?
By Anish Asokan
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
India
January 18, 2025 12:56am CST
Internet has given mankind great opportunities such as to learn, to earn and express themselves etc. Being anonymous is a great ability that internet has occupied each of us with. It is a great power to have.
Being anonymous, many individuals feel free from judgement and hence they express their personal struggles, ask for suggestions and discuss controversial issues. There are many online support groups and forms which thrice thanks to users feeling secure in expressing themselves without facing any backlash. This has allowed even marginalized voices to be heard.
At the same time, lack of accountability can lead some users to harmful behaviours such as cyberbullying, trolling and hate speeches. There is toxic behaviour and even online harassment.
Recently , I heard of a journalist who is getting harassed online for exposing a scandal. At the same time , I also heard from a person who was recovering from depression , the many comforts and supports he received from anonymous users online.
Do you feel that being anonymous online allowed people to be more authentic or more toxic?
7 people like this
10 responses
@pitsipeahie (5061)
•
18 Jan
It can obviously go either way—it really depends on the person. Some people use it to be real and share stuff they wouldn’t otherwise, but let’s be honest, not everyone’s nice. A lot of people just end up using it to be toxic because they know they won’t get called out. It’s got its pros and cons, for sure- just like anything in this world has its good and bad side, advantages and disadvantages!
4 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
Well, most times the toxic behaviour gets highlighted and it is rare the good ones ever be acknowledged. Thanks for sharing!
@pitsipeahie (5061)
•
19 Jan
@RevivedWarrior Not surprising at all! Isn't it that even in the news —bad stuff always gets the spotlight first. 
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
Well, there are people who attack other users and choice of words are not great. Lots of cyber bullying. Wish there were better ways to control those behaviours. Thanks for sharing!
@pumpkinjam (8861)
• United Kingdom
19 Jan
I think it's a bit of both. Some people are awful in real life and will use anonymity to try and get away with being worse or showing the true colours that they may not want to do in a way that will have consequences.
On the other hand, there are people who don't feel that they can share important things with real life people. Online may be their safe place or where they can be more of their authentic selves.
Here, I think I come across as being the person I want to be rather than the person I really am. There's not a lot of difference, although other people may have entirely different online personalities. I think I'd be more open about some things if I was genuinely anonymous. Of course, I wouldn't be toxic because I'm awesome in all of my personae 
2 people like this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
Those are good points. Hope there are regulations to control the toxic behaviour of people online. Thanks for sharing!
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
That is very true. Most times , people anticipate toxic behaviour in some of the forums . Thanks for sharing!
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
Well , for now both are true . Hope in future things turn for better. Thansk for sharing!
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
Very true - Well, people's personality and behaviours are also at times reflected online. Thanks for sharing!
@luisadannointed (7245)
• Philippines
1 Feb
Hahahahahha! I say a lot of cowards and paid trolls loves to be anonymous. But to some who really wants to voice out their opinions using their personal info is braver. But it doesn't mean that anonymous are more toxic, but I can say more of them are toxic, but some of them are just trying to protect themselves to voice out also what they want to say that are on point.
But anyway it does not mean netizen who use their personal account to say their peice are not toxic, most of them are toxic, specially those who says a lot of things that they think made them genius but in reality they are just empty cans making noise.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
2 Feb
Those are good points. We cannot generalize on everything that anonymous people do. Perhaps there should be regulations on anonymous accounts. Thanks for sharing!
@just4him (318848)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
21 Jan
@RevivedWarrior It would be nice if it could be controlled.
You're welcome.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
19 Jan
There should be better ways to authenticate people over the internet so that the toxic behavioru can be controlled. Thanks for sharing!
@grenery8 (13525)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
21 Jan
i think that toxic behaviour wins. some people can't wait to attack other people, who they haven't even met. i faced passive aggressiveness when i was on facebook and when i complained about bad bosses, it was called a blacklist of employers or something and all i did receive was hate, not understanding at all. so many unnecessary hate.
1 person likes this
@grenery8 (13525)
• Zagreb, Croatia (Hrvatska)
25 Jan
@RevivedWarrior thank you. yes, they can act stronger than in real life but, yes, that's only toxic.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (3568)
• India
21 Jan
Perhaps , people are more interested to be toxic online than be nice. They can vent their anger and hatred , so that there are no consequences. Well, sorry to hear your experience!
