Anonymity: A Threat to Accountability and Civility in the Digital Age
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I'm not trying to be known or unknown, I just want to be me.
I am independent of the good opinions of others.
This is merely an observation.
I'm neither for or against anonymity.
But someone has to talk about the white elephant in the room.
1. There is no need for anonymity if one's intentions are genuine and loving.
Anonymity allows people to engage in harmful or destructive behavior without fear of consequences.
When people are anonymous, they feel emboldened to make offensive or hurtful comments or spread misinformation.
Anonymity can foster an environment of mistrust and suspicion.
2. We're already hiding behind one false persona.
Do we really need or want another one?
COVID-19 - Social distancing and masking up is the old battle cry.
COVID-23 - Anonymity and masking up is the new battle cry.
3. Anonymity leads to the breakdown of social etiquette.
With anonymity, people behave in ways they would not normally behave in a face-to-face setting.
Why should there be any deviations?
4. I know what you're thinking.
You believe that anonymity will help foster diversity in opinions and ideas because people may be inclined to share their true opinions and perspectives if they didn't fear backlash.
But at what cost?
There's a reason why people choose to be anonymous and it's rarely a good one.
5. People who post anonymously tend to feel more disconnected and experience feelings of loneliness, isolation, and depression.
The one thing we continue to be most afraid of is connecting.
6. Anonymity makes it difficult for online communities to create a sense of identity and cohesion among their participants.
Give me the opportunity to discover more about you and how and what you think.
Because what comes out (thoughts, opinions, beliefs) is what's inside of you.
And that may not be something you're willing to look at so you choose to be anonymous.
We can minimize the icons on your laptop but the programs are still installed.
7. If I cannot be anonymous to God, I cannot be anonymous to you.
I am not my body, I am free and I am still as God created me to be.
The world can maim, cajole, ridicule, attack, belittle, shun, and outcast my body but what harm can they bring to my immortal soul?
Nothing anyone does or says can alter such Truth.
btw...what does anyone's comment, made anonymously or not, have any contribution to what is actually True?
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