Anonymity can Increase Openness

• What makes cyberspace interesting? by John Suler, 6/26/97
  • Real by Me, 7/6/97
    
    

I've been finding something fascinating occurring over the Internet. Because there is no physical relationship with a person, often people have felt "freer" to open up with their true feelings and thoughts, whereas, in other settings they would feel more inhibited. While I can see that this may be a problem for those who allow their lack of inhibitions to involve them in thoughts they would not normally pursue (similar to someone becoming drunk and allowing their lack of inhibitions to allow them to produce behaviors they would normally not pursue), for others it is extremely freeing. I have been contacted by ministers with problems, who, after "chatting" with me, have told me that they wouldn't have felt that free actually talking to a therapist or someone they knew because of their fear of being judged and their perceived need to "keep up appearances". Teenagers have contacted me with questions and a desire for support in situations in which they didn't feel they could discuss things with their parents but wanted an adult's view. The Web has allowed them to do this without first having to arrange transportation, etc. It's amazing to me the way the Web equalizes us -- we're less old, young, fat, thin, white, black -- and more just part of the human race.

Also, the lack of a physical presence keeps one from "checking out" the other person's reactions. Often we censor ourselves when we feel that what we are saying is not being accepted by the other person. Because that aspect is missing in web communication, people seem to feel freer to express whatever they truly feel.

I believe that these aspects of communication on the Internet make it a unique resource to interact with others from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, belief systems, and ages.

Linda

• re: anonymity can increase openness by John Suler, 8/18/97
  • Anonymity undervalued online by John Grohol, 8/22/97
    • re: anonymity undervalued by John Suler, 8/23/97
      • Anonymity....Will you please stand up? by Joy McRoberts, 10/30/97
      • standing up for anonymity by John Suler, 10/31/97
  • Anonymity and Openess by Denny, 8/26/97
• re: anonymity can increase openess by Leon, 3/5/98
  • anonymity and openess by John Suler, 3/6/98
    • Anonymity and Self-Actualization Potentials by MysticWarrior@msn.com, 3/8/98
      • re: self-actualization by John Suler, 3/9/98