Does Internet Anonymity Make People Rude?
While I am not a very web savvy person when it comes to anything technical, I have been participating in discussion boards and forums since the early 90s. One thing I have noticed through the years is that people who hide behind pseudonyms or pen names and generic avatars seem to loose inhibitions regarding social behavior. Abrupt, rude replies and loss of good manners seem to be the main byproducts of this internet anonymity.License for Rudeness?
While Joe Smith may have been taught good manners and social skills by his mother, "DarthJoe" has the social skills of a sociopath. Using his real name, Joe Smith is polite, and he wouldn't call people names or act like they were stupid in normal conversation. However, put him behind a computer screen as "DarthJoe," and he becomes almost vicious in his replies to other posters who don't agree with him. As "DarthJoe," he can belittle, insult, and patronize other posters in a way he would never do in public.
License for Mockery?
At his job, Joe Smith has been known to help in training new workers in his department. But let "DarthJoe" get ahold of newbies on his favorite boards, and he acts like they are idiots for not having the 100, often complicated and/or confusing rules in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Terms of Service (TOS) memorized. At work, Joe Smith refrains from mocking his trainees, at least to their face. On the web he revels in mockery and pithy one-liners guaranteed to make the newcomers feel inferior, inept and stupid.
While experienced posters could and often DO offer helpful advice, the "DarthJoes" among them make sure the new members learn a lesson they will not soon forget if they don't know a rule or ask the wrong question. It is often intimidating for new members to ask questions in forums, because they are afraid they will be mocked and ridiculed for "stupid questions."
License for Cybersex?
Comments
Great points here!
It is easy to be misunderstood online or in print. Something as simple as regional lingo (standing in line vs. standing on line) can cause a misunderstanding. But I agree 100% that some are intentionally cruel thanks to perceived anonymity online. Being snarky seems to be a growing hobby that is not limited to the Internet.
This is so true. Aside from the people who have had to hide their identity for honest reasons, look at all the people who sign on anonymously here at AC just so they can send nasty, mean, vile and rambling comments to AC Producers.
:)
Some use generic avatars online to be extremely rude to people.. I was just talking about that with someone tonight. I noticed a lot of people pick on some people here at AC and they don't sign in so they are anonymous, and can be as rude as they like.
Some use pseudonyms for more legitimate reasons, but it is sad to see folks misusing this.
Awesome pints here. The anonymity of the web means folks won't get the scowls, or the back hand, of little old ladies. My problem is that what you see is what you get. I once met someone offline that I met on AC. It was the opposite. Online...they're really nice. LOL!
I'm sure there are many who allow their alter egos to take over under the cover of anonymity, but I've been lucky not to have run into them very often.
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