Question for the masses because I’m curious:

What do you think social media would be like if there was no anonymity?

Is it fair to say some people behave differently online because of anonymity?

Would it be good or bad if everything you posted could be tied back to you by your friends, family, employer, etc?

Some obvious concerns people express:

  • personal safety
  • freedom to express views contrary to community, government, etc without retaliation
  • fear of stigmas related to support, education, etc for stigma topics like mental health, sexuality, etc

What reasons do you have for not wanting to own your online identity other than being able to talk trash without being identified? Some people are public and still talk a lot of trash, looking at you Twitter.

You you got doxed, what do you think the impact would be just related to social media conduct?

    • patchexempt@lemmy.zipEnglish
      21·
      9 months ago

      Yep, there is already a great example of what would happen, and it pretty much proved what many of us believed: governments and employers used it as a surveillance tool, and it’s not a replacement for a real content moderation strategy. People are just as happy to be cruel to each other and spread disinformation even if their real name is attached to it.

      • MSgtRedFox@infosec.pubOPEnglish
        11·
        9 months ago

        Locking down social media to prevent employers from judging your whole life on some party post has definitely become a thing.

        It’s harder to separate personal life from professional life if employers go through personal accounts.

        Government oppression is definitely a good example and would not be a desirable outcome.

    • kent_eh@lemmy.caEnglish
      2·
      9 months ago

      They didn’t way back when I signed up.

      Later they started asking for it so I deleted my account.