Week 10

     At the end of class this week, we were asked the question: "should you be allowed to make an anonymous Facebook account?" I have a couple thoughts about this question on anonymity on social media. Basically, this goes back to an earlier discussion we had about social media being used for both good and bad. As long as you can use it for doing good in the world and making prosocial changes, others can oppositely use it for bullying, forming radical groups, or participating in illegal activities such as watching child pornography. I think anonymity follows the same guideline. There are some cases in which an anonymous profile is necessary, like the case of Wael Ghonim (the author of Revolution 2.0). Ghonim launched an anonymous Facebook page protesting against the brutal regimes that were in power in the Middle East in 2011. Ghonim was protecting himself from these people by hiding his identity, as well as taking a stand for change. He was using this anonymous Facebook for good. The downside to anonymity is that a protester with no face lacks something. It is difficult for us to follow or trust a person who could quite possibly not even exist. One may think a person is remaining anonymous so that they can back out at any point when things get dangerous, and nobody will come after them. However, when you stand up together and et your identity be known, then you are all in. So, in this way, anonymity can be used for good.
       On the other hand, anonymity in social media can be dangerous. For instance, I would never be friends with someone on Facebook if I did not recognize them, let alone if they had no picture, nothing about them, or were completely anonymous. You never know who you are connecting with behind that screen. Another thing that is common with anonymity on social media is bullying. Anonymity gives bullies an outlet to hurt others without any repercussion on them because their identity is unknown. It's easier to post something awful to someone else when you have no face. I bet a decent amount of these Internet bullies would never say what they say if their picture and name was on their profile. My point in all of this is basically the same point I arrive to every class. Social media can be used pro-socially and  anti-socially--and it is our choice.