As you can tell from our previous blogs, the targets for cyber bullying are usually people who are socially disadvantaged: women, minorities or disabled people. And, usually they are individuals (i.e. celebrities) instead of groups. The Internet users are targeting those who specially need the social protection of their privacy. It is ironic, because the anonymity is usually used to advantage those “disadvantaged” people by protecting their voice. However, in the web space, the anonymity is used to attack the weak. Will the Real-Name System Stop Cyber Bullying?
We think it won’t. What causes cyber bullying is somewhat different from real-life bullying. We think that the most important factor that causes cyber bullying is the escapism of the reality. Sometimes the Internet users become totally different people in the web space. They sometime say things that they would never say in the real-life. People use the cyber space to relieve their stress and disclose their hidden selves. Even if the Real-Name system is regulated, the problem cannot be completely wiped out, because of athe “group polarization.” Even if those users’ identities are disclosed—because there are so many of them—no one will get punished.
We think that the way of approaching the problem is makes things even worse. The main discussion should be not between “Real-Name vs. Anonymity” but “Forced Real-Name System vs. Freedom of Choice.” Instead of the government forcing everyone to reveal their personal identity and information, the users should be able to make the decision for themselves. The people who share the information have to decide what group of people they want to share their information with to what extent. The people should have limited access to the information according to the information they reveal about themselves. This way, people can choose to reveal if they want to or choose to hide if they want to. Of course, the access to the information will be limited according to your “identity.” We think this is more effective and fair to the websites and communities, who provide information, and also to the all Internet users. The Real-Name System is only a short term solution to deal with the cyber bullying problem. The web is created and used by the users, the people. The government forcing the rules will not change the situation. People have to realize the seriousness of the problem and make informed choices for their own privacy settings.
All Internet users are responsible of the cyber bullying issue. And, we have to change the “culture” of the web space.
We think it won’t. What causes cyber bullying is somewhat different from real-life bullying. We think that the most important factor that causes cyber bullying is the escapism of the reality. Sometimes the Internet users become totally different people in the web space. They sometime say things that they would never say in the real-life. People use the cyber space to relieve their stress and disclose their hidden selves. Even if the Real-Name system is regulated, the problem cannot be completely wiped out, because of athe “group polarization.” Even if those users’ identities are disclosed—because there are so many of them—no one will get punished.
We think that the way of approaching the problem is makes things even worse. The main discussion should be not between “Real-Name vs. Anonymity” but “Forced Real-Name System vs. Freedom of Choice.” Instead of the government forcing everyone to reveal their personal identity and information, the users should be able to make the decision for themselves. The people who share the information have to decide what group of people they want to share their information with to what extent. The people should have limited access to the information according to the information they reveal about themselves. This way, people can choose to reveal if they want to or choose to hide if they want to. Of course, the access to the information will be limited according to your “identity.” We think this is more effective and fair to the websites and communities, who provide information, and also to the all Internet users. The Real-Name System is only a short term solution to deal with the cyber bullying problem. The web is created and used by the users, the people. The government forcing the rules will not change the situation. People have to realize the seriousness of the problem and make informed choices for their own privacy settings.
All Internet users are responsible of the cyber bullying issue. And, we have to change the “culture” of the web space.
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