Reflection

Initially, when I picked the subject matter of online anonymity and its various dilemmas for my digital identity capstone project, such as trolling and cyber bullying, I acted under a theoretical viewpoint. Coming from a generation that is used to constant online activity, I thought trolling is just an annoying but unavoidable trouble which comes with participation in any online process. More often than not we’ve been taught to “ignore the trolls” or “just turn off the screen.” However, deep diving into these concepts helped me realize it is so much worse than I thought.  

A significant aspect I studied was Suler’s theory about the Online Disinhibition Effect, which makes one think about the fact that invisibility and unaccountability cause us to behave differently. 

On the internet, the screen serves as a shield to our senses. When a user anonymously posts a hurtful comment on social media, they cannot see how disturbed the person they target is. The victim is turned into a concept rather than an actual person who can feel. This distance makes it easy for wrongdoers to say their actions were for fun and not in line with their moral norms. 

A major ethical challenge and point of complexity regarding this issue is the fact that anonymity is not always negative in nature. Throughout my investigation, I have found that there is a strong need for the secrecy of information across the Internet. Anonymity ensures safety for whistleblowers from their bosses and governments, helps marginalized children and those facing domestic violence, as well as those who live in a repressive regime to find help and obtain information without risking being punished.  

Calling for absolute abolishment of anonymity on the Internet in order to be safe is a huge mistake since this will violate civil liberties and digital privacy rights. The major moral dilemma is how to preserve anonymity's essential functions, keeping in mind its abusive usages like harassment and cyberbullying. 

Looking at this problem through the eyes of our local Tampa Bay community shows how close to home these digital developments are. High school and college students now experience an environment after classes where campus-based bullying no longer ends. Thanks to anonymous mobile apps, group chats, and pseudonymous social media accounts, the bullying continues in the safety of one’s own bedroom, round the clock. This is why the young population faces exponential growth in cases of anxiety, depression, and social isolation.  

Moreover, local communities and civic centers are increasingly affected by anonymous trolling practices, forcing engaged citizens to leave civic life behind. 

The significant lesson I have learned through this project is that there is no single way to handle digital aggression. We cannot put our trust in social media companies to sanitize the content and we cannot just tell victims to be “strong”. First, the social media platforms must be responsible for the effects of their algorithms that are mostly concerned with confrontation and conflict, rather than security. Furthermore, schools must move beyond the typical Internet safety classes and educate learners about kindness and online citizenship. Educators should teach students the notions of ignoring the boundaries in the online world and the practice of active bystanding.  

In the end, this project influenced my own daily practices as a user. I have become much better aware of my interactions online and more importantly,I understand that there is a real person behind every account and post out there.