Facebook, through Randi Zuckerberg, has expressed unfavorable views towards internet anonymity as it can fuel phenomena of cyberbullying and stalking.
If Google+ deletes accounts that don’t use real names, Facebook is openly taking a stand against online anonymity. The words of Randi Zuckerberg, marketing director of Facebook and Mark’s sister, leave no room for doubt: speaking at an event on social media sponsored by Marie Claire in New York, she pointed the finger at the phenomenon of online anonymity, deeming it very dangerous.
The fact of not exposing oneself with one’s real name and surname allegedly makes cyberbullies and stalkers feel empowered and protected, thus fostering incorrect behavior detrimental to other users, both on the internet in general and on social networks in particular.
Without necessarily resorting to such extreme attitudes, anonymity would be a strong spur simply for the possibility of expressing one’s opinion crudely or without restraint on blogs, websites, online newspapers, forums, etc…
Such brazen behavior that in reality, in most cases, would not occur and would instead be curbed and suppressed, for fear of damaging one’s reputation, out of politeness, and common sense.
If in everyday life one puts their face on the line, then, by eliminating online anonymity, a good result might perhaps also be achieved on the web, by exposing oneself with one’s real name and surname.
It is difficult to control the real identity of those who interact online: how will Facebook implement a serious policy to combat anonymity? The social network’s regulations already caution about the use of real names and personal emails, but the massive presence of profiles with fictitious or deliberately “trolling” names is evident to everyone.
Randi Zuckerberg did not discuss practical solutions, but perhaps, precisely because of these clear statements, something is brewing at Facebook‘s headquarters.
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