Unlike the real world, anonymity is easily achieved in cyberspace. The Internet allows individuals to create a hidden identity and benefit from its benefits. Driven by a variety of motivations, people use anonymity to achieve personal goals, express themselves freely, and act antisocially without fear of consequences.
While the Internet benefits humanity, it is also a breeding ground for harm. Anonymity in digital spaces can lead to disinhibition and loss of individuality. This is a condition in which people can’t identify themselves, so they act in a manner that is inappropriate in a group, or acts impulsively and in some cases aggressively. For example, some people may write more offensive blog posts anonymously than others who are easily identifiable.
Given that this alarming behavior is becoming increasingly common, it is important to understand the unique characteristics and motivations that drive individuals to anonymous digital spaces.
Double motives for online anonymity
A 2023 study identified two motivations underlying the desire to remain anonymous in online social interactions.
- self expression. Individuals seek anonymity to express aspects of themselves that they would not otherwise share. Self-disclosure is also easier because the threat of negative consequences and social evaluation is reduced.
- Harmful behavior. Individuals have an incentive to use the cloak of anonymity to walk away acquitted after committing outrageous acts against others. Researchers found that anonymous participants engaged in more antisocial behavior, such as trolling, antagonizing, and angering others.
Researchers also suggest that although individuals seeking anonymity online have different motivations, they share some notable similarities.
Dark Tetrad and Anonymity
A 2023 study found that people with negative and unstable self-perceptions are attracted to anonymity and seek the freedom to assume different personas to meet different needs. People who struggle with self-consciousness and low self-esteem prefer to remain anonymous online.
Furthermore, individuals with dark personality traits appear to express a malicious identity from the shadow of anonymity, engaging in behaviors that harm others while satisfying themselves. Research results published in 2022 personality and individual differences We investigated the relationship between online anonymity and the following dark personality traits:
- Machiavellianism. Individuals who seek anonymity tend to be Machiavellian. This characteristic is associated with presenting a manipulative, deceptive, and malleable identity online. The digital environment provides people with a risk-free opportunity to strategically create personas to achieve illicit and selfish goals.
- Psychopathic. High levels of psychopathy, characterized by antisocial behavior and a lack of empathy and remorse, make people more likely to present a malleable, inauthentic self online and take advantage of their anonymity to deceive others. .
- sadism. A 2023 study found that sadism is positively associated with a preference for an anonymous presence online to satisfy the desire to safely enjoy the suffering of others from behind a screen.
The impact of anonymity on online behavior
An individual’s motivation for anonymity can predict their online behavior. A 2023 study found that individuals with a “self-expression” motive engage in benign social behaviors to achieve self-related goals.
In contrast, those higher in harmful motives engage in malignant and antisocial behaviors to achieve other related goals. For example, research has shown that anonymous users are more likely to write troll comments than other users.
Additionally, the 2021 study compared topics of interest and language used in incel forums and Reddit communities. Incel forums had more harmful posts than Reddit. incells.co It displayed the most extremist ideology and used the most toxic language. Misogyny, self-hatred, and toxicity to society were popular topics across all forums.
The current anonymity trend highlights the need to create a safe online environment for all users. This can be achieved through a combination of technological solutions, community moderation, and digital ethics education.
“Early and sustained support from national and local governments can also be effective in reducing antisocial behavior on the Internet,” says Keita Masui, a researcher at Japan’s Otemon Gakuin University. By promoting empathy and accountability on a personal level, we can foster healthier ways to express ourselves and engage with others online.
