Anonymously arrogant
Artikel von Hollaback Leserin Maria V.
The importance of the internet as a platform for social encounters grows every day. One can express opinions about any subject without having to deal with the consequences. And all the while stay safely anonymous. Anonymity online has it’s sides. You can for example affect global matters from your home laptop without much effort. It is possible to share your thoughts about a significant current topic in the society, say the Occupy Wall Street movement, and influence the bigger picture. But there is also a downside for being able to express anything and everything completely incognito. Every day on thousands of discussion forums people abuse each other verbally (or as the online community expresses it “troll” the conversations) without ever having to deal with the consequences. As Wikipedia expresses it, “a troll is someone who posts inflammatory, extraneous, or off-topic messages in an online community, such as an online discussion forum”. Discussion forums are either pre-edited or edited after the comments are already published online. The latter creates an enormous problem: trolls can say anything and get away with it. The possibility for online anonymity is considered a privilege in countries where the freedom of speech is highly appreciated. However it can create a false perception of power and immunity as it does to these people who believe they have the “freedom of speech” as in the possibility to attack others online. This leads into more misunderstandings, inequality, sexism and racism, as the internet is expanding increasingly and more difficult to monitor. As the online world develops so should develop the code of conduct online. Should moral and ethics disappear because of the mear possibility of anonymity? No. Should the online etiquette be promoted to both younger and older generations living their lives more and more online? Yes. As we have the opportunity to express ourselves anonymously we also have to take responsibility for our words. Having the option to say everything does not mean that everything and anything should be said. In order to prevent online-bullying or trolling it is important to promote the so-called netiquette; the respectful and righteous way of expressing oneself even if doing so anonymously. Only through awareness it is possible to create understanding and develop the online towards an open yet responsible social community.
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