Pseudonymity

     In online environments some internet users create pseudonyms for their own privacy while others feel empowered by being concealed behind fake names and behave inappropriately online.

    This seems to be a popular debate topic online. One writer stated that they had noticed that, “...people who hide behind pseudonyms or pen names and generic avatars seem to lose inhibitions regarding social behaviour" (Darden, 2009 para.1). Many others online seem to feel the same way, although others believe the opposite. Something interesting I found out while researching pseudonyms was that users who post online with a fake name post comments of a higher quality. This information came from Disqus, a comment-hosting service for websites, who found that posters using a pseudonym posted 6.5 times more than those remaining anonymous. They also posted 4.7 times more than users commenting with their real identity.  As well their data found that the users with fake names were posting more positive comments that were liked and replied to more often than others (Pseudonyms Drive Communities, 2013). This was interesting as the information contradicts what many others believe pseudonyms do to online communities.

Darden, K. E., (Mar 20, 2009). Hiding Behind Avatars & Pseudonyms - License for Bad Behavior? Yahoo Voices. Retrieved on Mar 22, 2013 from http://voices.yahoo.com/hiding-behind-avatars-pseudonyms-license-bad-behavior-2891685.html

Pseudonyms Drive Communities. (2013) Disqus. Retrieved on Mar 22, 2013 from http://disqus.com/research/pseudonyms/