It is a powerful superpower: the power of invisibility.
I became a CYBERPSYCHOLOGIST because Prof. Mary Aiken PhD
I don’t know how I discovered her but the very first time I heard her speaking, I knew I wanted to work in the cyberpsychology field.
What I am going to write today here is not a random thought. It is probably not a very popular idea, but I strongly believe in it.
Some days ago, the psychologist Jose Luís García Fernandez – another professional I admire deeply – shared a quite hard-to-watch video about online pornography.
I found myself thinking: why don’t they identify themselves when they register?
Sadly, I abandoned that thought there.
Yesterday, at the gym, I was hearing Prof. Mary Aiken interview (I am not a sporty person and I need strong motivation to go through some time), and she gave me the courage to share and expose my thoughts about the need to rethink the principle of anonymity on the internet.
If we do a quick research about that concept (Internet Anonymity):
The core principle of internet anonymity is the ability for individuals to use the internet without revealing their real-world identity. This can be achieved through various technical and social means, allowing users to express themselves, access information, and participate in online activities without fear of reprisal or surveillance.
Benefits of Internet Anonymity:
- Freedom of Expression: Anonymity can be crucial for individuals to express themselves freely, especially when facing censorship, persecution, or social stigma in their real lives.
- Whistleblowing: It enables whistleblowers to expose wrongdoing without fear of retaliation, contributing to accountability and transparency.
- Privacy Protection: Anonymity helps protect users’ personal information and privacy, preventing surveillance and data collection by governments or corporations.
- Vulnerable Groups: It can provide a safe space for vulnerable groups, like minorities or children, to participate in online discussions and express their views without fear of harassment or discrimination.
- Challenging Power Structures: Anonymity can be a powerful tool for challenging power structures and holding those in authority accountable.
Drawbacks of Internet Anonymity:
- Accountability Issues: Anonymity can reduce accountability, potentially leading to harmful behavior like cyberbullying, harassment, and the spread of misinformation.
- Criminal Activity: It can be exploited by criminals for illegal activities, such as fraud, scams, and the distribution of illicit content.
- Toxicity and Abuse: The lack of accountability can contribute to a toxic online environment where users are more likely to engage in abusive or offensive behavior.
- Difficulty in Regulation: Anonymity can make it difficult for authorities to identify and hold individuals accountable for illegal or harmful online activities.
As everything in life, it has PROS and CONS.
I strongly believe it had more PROS than CONS when the internet was created and used by a much smaller population.
Nevertheless, I believe that in the current state of use of the internet, we must rethink the architecture of the internet. As Dr. Mary Aiken says:
“The power of invisibility is a superpower.”
And we should think very carefully to whom we are giving it.