Week 3 Topic 3

Identity and Relationships online.

This topic seems to be one that many have a strong opinion on, every one has their own identity unlike anyone else. That was until the internet. This form of new media has allowed anyone with access to it a chance to create another or even many different forms of identity. Is this wrong? I feel it depends on how the person is going about it, if there creating a whole new identity that is totally different from their 'Real life' identity to me that seems slightly strange, but for many it might be a way of escaping from their 'Real Life' and a way to start over. But there is always the well known risk with this sort of thing, if people are able to recreate their identity to anything they please, how do we know what their really like? There's no way of telling if some one online is really the thirteen year old they claim to be or whether there actually a fifty year old man. This is the scary thing about identity online.

A) Is with holding one's identity ethically wrong?

I think it all depends on the situation, I think everybody has the right to withhold their identity when online if there doing so to protect themselves. For example if your on an online chat room or forum and some strangers are talking to you, I think its a good idea not to give out your personal information, such as your full name, where you live etc as you can never be sure who your talking to even if they don't withhold their identity as they maybe lying. However there are some cases where you have to give your identity on the internet such as purchasing online, online banking etc. If you were to give a fake identity you wouldn't end up with the products you order. This is a harder question than I first thought, I want to immediately say no it is not wrong as you never know who your really talking to or in some cases building relationship with, we all know about the pedophilia and the grooming that has taken place online, but some people online may be genuine and on their to make friends and to find people who have the same interests as them.

B) Should we always use are full name?

As I've mentioned above, I do not think this is always a good idea, people can find out other sorts of information just by giving them your full name. And in extreme case can cause identity fraud. However full names on sites such as facebook and myspace I think are fine, due to the security of the sites, and the fact that if you make your profile private which it is always best to do, no one can see your profile unless you let them, by making them a friend.

C) Far from adapting a 'mask', isn't one appeal of the Net that you can express your true self among like minds?

I think the net does let you express your true self, for those who may be to insecure in real life to be who they really are, the internet can be a major source of expression. Some people maybe interest in something that none of their 'real life' friends are interested in and they know of no one else who is. Forums on specific topics allow these people to express themselves and their interest with people who will appreciate it, making them feel much more comfortable talking about their opinion and no one will judge them like the may do in the 'real life'. Others online will also have no idea to the user background, allowing them to feel free of anything that drags them down in the real world, such as family troubles. The net allows these people to feel empowered and change the things they don't like about themselves in 'real life', for example really shy people may join a forum or online game, and decide they don't want to be shy and their going to say exactly what they feel and express themselves loudly and be proud of this.


Here is half, the other half of this topic will be posted later today.