Abstract: The following paper aims to study the factor of anonymity in the cyber world. Even though it is a handy tool for many, as it allows a person to speak out his mind, it is proving to be a bigger threat as there is an increase in cyber crimes online. The paper below discusses the correlation between cyber crimes and anonymity.
The world is getting closer with physical boundaries disappearing thanks to the ever increasing world of internet. Internet is an amazing tool using which you can connect and share with people all around the globe. With the advent of social networking websites such as Facebook and Twitter, globalization has truly spread throughout. One of the best features of the internet is the ability to stay anonymous while still being a part of a global community. Privacy in cyberspace is a handy tool for people who are unable to express themselves in the physical world, or are under threat. In such instances anonymity helps to overcome such issues.
On the contrary, anonymity has its downside too. Today there is a rising trend of cyber-bullies who choose to remain anonymous and exploit online on the social networking sites. Such social networking sites, aimed at providing a platform for social engagement has become a breeding ground for cyber bullies. Youngsters who are vulnerable are highly influenced by such anonymous bullies causing grave consequences.
The ease of obscuring identity online has given rise to many crimes online. Hate crimes is on a rise wherein a user is abused for his race, ethnicity or culture. Such online abuse by anonymous people causes a sense of hatred and makes the user vulnerable to many psychological effects. Suicides are on a rise since the advent of social networking sites. This clearly shows the dismissal picture of the internet where along with benefits, anonymity poses even greater risks.
. Jobling V. (2011). Anonymity: The default identity for cyber-bullies on social networks. 24th April 2011. Retrieved from web. http://networkconference.netstudies.org/2011/04/anonymity-the-default-identity-for-cyber-bullies-on-social-networks/
