Forum 2

Digital anonymity refers to remaining anonymous online. It allows for free speech, protects vulnerable groups, and secures the digital economy. However, it can also lead to identity issues and cyberbullying. Anonymity can be used for good or evil, but the truth always comes out in the end. Hi guys and welcome back to the Digital Society podcast. My name is Brie and today our topic is going to be digital anonymity. Wow, that word is really hard. It basically means anonymous. Digital anonymity. What is the term? Well, in the digital world it means online anonymity and refers to the state of remaining anonymous online. That is that the user's identity is concealed, preventing it from being shared with other online users or a third party. In an article by the name of Globe and Mills, they said that anonymity has been a long core attribute of the Internet and encryption as the backbone technology that enables it. The ability to speak and act anonymously and share information online securely enables free speech and political activity, protects vulnerable and targeted groups, allows for personal development without the threat of persecution or shame, and secures the digital economy. This anonymity is seen by many as an inherent right in the digital age. For the digital world, it can be so easy to hide behind a screen of actually showing someone's real identity. In honesty, that's a scary thing to think about. The phrase stranger danger comes into my head, for it can be the same concept. In the book, habits of the high tech heart, author Quentin Schultz said cyberspace is partly a new arena for human beings to access the kinds of resources that enable them to explore new self identities. While it can be useful in some ways, the way I think about it is living in a virtual reality that can sometimes make a person become so enamored with that reality instead of living content in their original reality in the world today. Social media has a way of hiding people for who they truly are and it creates identity issues in some people. Author of digital media Simon Lynn Green said anonymity removes a personal responsibility and generates a perceived loss of individuality. There are several instances where digital anonymity needs to be violated. For example, hackers can hide behind fake usernames, identities to get what they are truly looking for. According to the article written by Will Flow, anonymity, fidelity to law, and digital civil disobedience, he said, if hackers mostly operate anonymously, the argument goes, this strongly suggests that they are not willing to accept the legal consequences of their actions. This insurance invariably calls into question their fidelity to law. It can also go back to hiding behind a screen. You can easily become so enamored with the person that you are becoming behind the screen that you start to push down who you really are. It's all about identity and remaining anonymous can be a good thing in some parts as you wanting to say your opinion without getting the shame like before I had said in the article by Globe and Mail, but it also can be a dangerous thing for others as well. Cyberbullying has happened on the cyberspace from the beginning of the Internet. Activists saying things that they shouldn't be saying, protesting things that they shouldn't be protesting about. It gives us free access to do things and say things that shouldn't be said and it hurts other people's hearts and opinions of themselves and their identity. So all that to say digital anonymity can be used for good or evil, but the truth always comes out no matter what. So somebody can remain anonymous for a good intent but also for a bad intent, but in the end the truth always comes out. Thanks so much for listening guys.